Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

bind

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of bind

1 a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
  • With our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind.
Synonyms of bind

catch-22, corner, dilemma, fix, hole, impasse, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot
Words Related to bind

difficulty, node

hot water, soup

pinch, plight, quandary, scrape, trouble

deadlock, halt, logjam, stalemate, standstill

clutch, crisis, crossroad, emergency, exigency, juncture, strait
Phrases Synonymous with bind

kettle of fish
2 something that physically prevents free movement
  • The burglar was held in a makeshift bind until the law officers could arrive.
Synonyms of bind

band, bond, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackle
Words Related to bind

captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction

entanglement, net, trammel, trap

collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket)

fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

bind

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of bind

1 to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
  • The prisoner was bound by the wrists.
Synonyms of bind

chain, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel
Words Related to bind

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss

attach, fasten, join, link

confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede

limit, restrict

entangle, tangle
Near Antonyms of bind

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue

undo, unfasten, untangle, untie

detach, disengage
Antonyms of bind

unbind, unfetter, unshackle
2 to cover with a bandage
  • Bind the wound to stop the bleeding.
Synonyms of bind

bandage, dress, swathe
Words Related to bind

attend, care (for), doctor, medicate, minister (to), nurse, treat

cure, heal, mend, rehabilitate, remedy
Near Antonyms of bind

unbandage
3 to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord
  • Bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches.
Synonyms of bind

band, tie, truss
Words Related to bind

cinch, cord, rope, strap, thread, wire

gird, girt

lash, leash, tether

interlace, intertwine, interweave, lace

entangle, knot, snarl, tangle, twist

coil, wind
Near Antonyms of bind

undo, unfasten, unlace, unlash, unloose, unloosen, unstrap, unstring, unthread

unleash, untether

disentangle, unravel, unsnarl, untangle, untwine, untwist

uncoil, unspool, unwind
Antonyms of bind

unbind, untie

Learn More about bind

  1. See words that rhyme with bind Dictionary: Definition of bind Medical Dictionary: Definition of bind Spanish Central: Translation of bind Nglish: Translation of bind for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bind for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up bind? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games