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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bandages
to cover with a bandage
bind the wound to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of binds
Timmy Straw, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The fun of watching Survivor is seeing contestants wriggle out of seemingly impossible binds through social skills, but when that becomes impossible, the show renders itself only frustrating.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Activated charcoal, which can be derived from coconut shells, is porous and binds to odorous compounds, like bacteria and toxins.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
These fleeting encounters, once dismissed as background noise, have now revealed new behavior in the strong nuclear force—the fundamental force that binds matter together.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Let’s reflect on what binds us together.
—Staff Report, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Miller was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has morphed into a glue guy, whose employment as a Fox Sports NFL television analyst, part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and key partner with Fanatics binds him with almost every major stakeholder in the Flag Football Classic and WrestleMania 42.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The decision establishes the final payment amount and binds both parties.
—James Gelfand, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
From the prohibition against representation that binds the globe in images.
—Timmy Straw, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
The fun of watching Survivor is seeing contestants wriggle out of seemingly impossible binds through social skills, but when that becomes impossible, the show renders itself only frustrating.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
Activated charcoal, which can be derived from coconut shells, is porous and binds to odorous compounds, like bacteria and toxins.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
These fleeting encounters, once dismissed as background noise, have now revealed new behavior in the strong nuclear force—the fundamental force that binds matter together.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Let’s reflect on what binds us together.
—Staff Report, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
Miller was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has morphed into a glue guy, whose employment as a Fox Sports NFL television analyst, part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and key partner with Fanatics binds him with almost every major stakeholder in the Flag Football Classic and WrestleMania 42.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
The decision establishes the final payment amount and binds both parties.
—James Gelfand, STAT, 20 Mar. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for binds
Verb
-
Lawmakers reject a bill that ties students’ attendance to driver’s licenses.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Air India is preparing to roll out a policy that ties cabin crew eligibility to Body Mass Index (BMI) standards — a policy that's generating controversy and comment.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Independents rise as chains face headwinds Keown said that while some chains have seen financial headwinds and store closures, independent pizzerias have been ascendant.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Motorists are advised to carry a complete winter storm emergency kit, including tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, shovel, blankets, extra clothing, water and a first-aid kit.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The blackout means that those without access to Starlink or other ways to communicate have been cut off from communicating with the outside world, which also hampers the ability of Iranians to mobilize against the ruling regime.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Victorian novels made good use of the predicaments of second and third sons, who had to become ministers or soldiers or schemers, and daughters who needed to be married off according to age.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The man eventually dropped the knife and was placed in handcuffs, according to the police report.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The footage from the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows the legendary golfer undergoing a field sobriety test, being placed into handcuffs and then driven from the scene in the back of the patrol vehicle following Friday's crash.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This propulsion system limits responsiveness and constrains the precision with which a drone can control its position and attitude simultaneously.—
Etiido Uko
March 30,
New Atlas,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Inflation constrains monetary easing.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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