Synonyms of binds

binds 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bind

1

as in ties

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

prisons tend to bind convicted criminals for transport

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ties
• chains
• hampers
• constrains
• attaches
• confines
• handcuffs
• enchains
• fetters
• shackles
• secures
• lashes
• bits
• gyves
• fastens
• trammels
• restricts
• enfetters
• hinders
• links
• manacles
• pinions
• impedes
• joins
• irons
• hobbles
• limits
• curbs
• trusses
• hog-ties
• entangles
• tangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberates
• frees
• releases
• unbinds
• rescues
• looses
• emancipates
• unties
• undoes
• unshackles
• detaches
• untangles
• unfastens
• disengages
• unfetters

2

as in bandages

to cover with a bandage

bind the wound to stop the bleeding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bandages
• heals
• treats
• dresses
• ministers (to)
• swathes
• attends
• medicates
• doctors
• cures
• cares (for)
• nurses
• remedies
• rehabilitates
• mends

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unbandages

3

as in threads

to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord

bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ties
• threads
• wires
• bands
• straps
• trusses
• cinches
• ropes
• intertwines
• cords
• tethers
• girds
• twists
• knots
• entangles
• interweaves
• coils
• snarls
• tangles
• interlaces
• winds
• lashes
• laces
• girts
• leashes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unties
• unbinds
• undoes
• unfastens
• unleashes
• unravels
• unstraps
• unlaces
• unlooses
• disentangles
• unwinds
• unstrings
• unloosens
• untangles
• untwists
• uncoils
• unspools
• unthreads
• untethers
• unlashes
• untwines
• unsnarls

binds

2 of 2

noun

plural of bind

1

as in pickles

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 & Similar Words

• pickles
• predicaments
• dilemmas
• holes
• swamps
• corners
• jams
• fixes
• rabbit holes
• boxes
• impasses
• rattraps
• mires
• kettles of fish
• spots
• sticky wickets
• difficulties
• nodes
• quagmires
• pinches
• jackpots
• plights
• crises
• halts
• hot waters
• soups
• catch-22's
• scrapes
• troubles
• deadlocks
• clutches
• crossroads
• straits
• stalemates
• quandaries
• exigencies
• emergencies
• logjams
• standstills
• junctures

2

as in chains

something that physically prevents free movement

the store owner held the would-be burglar in a makeshift bind until the police officers could arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chains
• handcuffs
• bracelets
• ties
• shackles
• bonds
• cuffs
• manacles
• irons
• bands
• fetters
• confinements
• ligatures
• constraints
• traps
• restraints
• restrictions
• collars
• curbs
• trammels
• holdings
• entanglements
• holds
• hindrances
• nets
• captivities
• hobbles
• imprisonments
• enslavements
• incarcerations
• enchainments
• straitjackets
• fasteners
• immurements
• hold-downs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of binds

Verb

To prevent this leaching, stale urine was used as a mordant—a chemical that binds to the dye and the cloth, acting as a molecular bridge between the two while protecting the color from breaking down from exposure to light, water, and rinsing. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

The provider binds the account, agent and task in an authorization record and digitally signs it, allowing the retailer and payment service to verify who issued it and whether it has been altered. — Aashis Luitel, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Together, the three women are forced to confront old wounds and find out whether what still binds them is strong enough to keep them from sinking. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Self-exclusion in particular only binds licensed operators, which is why offshore sites target people who have signed up for it. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

This then binds to specific serotonin receptors in the brain, which temporarily rebuilds the networks involved in memory, emotions and cognition interact. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Aug. 2026

According to the researchers, cGMP also binds to a protein that transports cholesterol within cells, reducing the cholesterol available for essential cellular functions. — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

The solvent then binds with the CO₂, which is then, in turn, heated by the recovered exhaust gas. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

That force tightly binds particles known as quarks into composite particles such as protons and neutrons. — Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 29 July 2026

Noun

There’s a lot of deus ex machina resolution of tight binds, things that happen off-screen and are waved away. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026