1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together
the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bracelet
something that physically prevents free movement
chains on the prisoner's ankles
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
chaining up the dog in the backyard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole
the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chain
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Americans are divided nationally, with chains like Wendy’s and Sonic topping five states each, but Texas stood firmly behind its homegrown orange-and-white institution.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
At times, the children were chained to their beds or put in cages for breaking house rules.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
Tire chains may be necessary if travelling through mountain passes and road closures are possible.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Feb. 2026
Americans are divided nationally, with chains like Wendy’s and Sonic topping five states each, but Texas stood firmly behind its homegrown orange-and-white institution.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
At times, the children were chained to their beds or put in cages for breaking house rules.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
When Whisenhunt returned for his second inning of work, the 25-year-old had a sequence to scrap from memory.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Power and grace in every step sequence and triple-lutz, triple-loop combination.—
Katie Gunderman,
SELF,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Waterfield’s view, the single biggest obstacle for genetic genealogy is the cost of lab work and rising upload fees associated with the DNA databases relied upon by investigators.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Anything that was anti-Jewish—a story about exclusion, an obstacle that hadn’t come down, a disapproving enumeration of supposedly Jewish traits—was possibly more fascinating.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The adult woman was buried with grave goods that aligned with that culture, including a cowhide, bronze pin, a necklace of glass and amber beads, and a pair of bronze bracelets, Live Science reports.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Vergara kept her accessories simple with a dainty evil eye bracelet adorning her wrist.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This adorable $20 dish towel features the fan-favorite Courtly Check pattern and a bold bee design that is bound to make a statement in your kitchen.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The former Prince Andrew’s arrest is the kind of thing that is bound to have repercussions for the rest of the British royal family.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The shirts’ release Thursday coincided with the announcement that the first phase of the Metro D Line subway extension will open May 8, with three new stations connecting downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
There were also quick looks at a massive tower floating in the water that could be some kind of gym, plus a beachside town with buildings connected by aquatic bridges.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lieber added the railroad has been using work trains to clear snow on the LIRR, as well as running empty trains to keep the tracks clear of ice.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
But Marcel, his older brother, and their cousin, Georges Loinger, posed as Boy Scout leaders taking their troops camping, then chaperoned their charges through perilous train journeys and hiked with them through the Alps to Switzerland.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Florida bills would do much of that work by forcing married and divorced women to navigate expensive bureaucratic hurdles to match their maiden and married names.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Had there been hurdles to that process before this latest round of negotiations happened?—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
San Diego City and Mesa Colleges tied for third with identical 15-13 and 7-5 records.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Big man Aidan Cammann tied his career high to lead the Cardinal with 19 points, but missed eight free throws.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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