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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chain
Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Directed by veteran action filmmaker Art Camacho, the film follows Tony (Foster), a former Marine trying to rebuild his life as a mechanic—until his brother (Collins) crosses the wrong people and ignites a violent chain of events.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Thomas said her two dogs are sometimes allowed to walk around the yard but are otherwise chained in the back.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
The world’s biggest coffee chain just completed its first trip around the sun under CEO Brian Niccol, the former Chipotle chief executive who got a ~$100 million pay package to join Starbucks one year ago this week.
—Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Directed by veteran action filmmaker Art Camacho, the film follows Tony (Foster), a former Marine trying to rebuild his life as a mechanic—until his brother (Collins) crosses the wrong people and ignites a violent chain of events.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
The men were chained in three separate places—at their ankles, wrists, and waists.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Thomas said her two dogs are sometimes allowed to walk around the yard but are otherwise chained in the back.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
Costumed characters move in dreamlike sequences.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The arrow sequence, though, has a connection to video gaming, recognizably originating in a game called Helldivers 2, a science-fiction narrative similar to Robert Heinlein’s book Starship Troopers that covers fascistic themes.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This means that fuel cells can, theoretically, operate without the infrastructure problems of electric or hydrogen vehicles, but the real obstacle is achieving sheer power in a light, compact engine that is compliant with existing regulations.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Sep. 2025
-
This enables the robot to figure out its precise navigation and obstacle avoidance coordinates, with an accuracy down to 2 centimeters.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is significant because the bracelet becomes a minor plot point throughout the episode.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
During her first visit with Daniel’s parents, Cherry takes a bracelet from Laura’s room and throws Laura’s cat Moses out the bathroom window.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The lingering effects of an incident so vile occurring within Burning man’s sweet bubble are bound to affect people for a long time.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
-
With no binding regulatory framework in place, taxpayers must continue to rely on case law, examining a series of factors applied by the courts to determine whether an instrument is debt or equity.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
CitizenShipper connects pet owners with drivers who specialize in transporting animals.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The fourth episode depicts him as a negligent and emotionally abusive lover to Satan, further connecting him to the show’s previous portrayals of Saddam Hussein.—
Nick Marx,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Earlier this week, transit officials in North Carolina released a graphic video showing the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Zarutska on a light rail train.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some include the Madrid train bombings, where 193 died in 2004, the 2005 London tube bombings with 56 dead, and an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester where 23 were killed in 2017.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For a franchise placing its future on the development of young players, the timing of the injuries is a hurdle.—
Grant Afseth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
As a result, same-sex couples continue to face other challenges in other aspects of daily life, from visiting their partner at hospitals to raising children, hurdles that families in many other global financial capitals that look to attract top talent no longer face.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Through two games, the Ragin’ Cajuns have held opponents to an average of 12 points per game — a mark that’s tied for the best in the Sun Belt.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The other way to address Africa’s borrowing challenges, Loyiso Tyabashe, chief executive of the South Africa Nuclear Energy Corporation, told Semafor, is tied to execution.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share