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
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 binds
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
These dimensions normally cohere in the speaker, which binds a person to their words.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Selenium binds to protein, so protein-rich foods are usually high in this mineral.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Citric acid binds to calcium, stopping these crystals from forming into stones.
—Zia Sherrell, Health, 7 Feb. 2026
Because that time binds them all together and still holds us all together in some way — including now, alas, in the honor of trying to mourn him together, too.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Injected semaglutide binds to these GLP-1 receptors and reduces appetite for nearly a week, ultimately causing people to eat less and lose weight.
—Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Homemade cream cheese frosting binds it all together.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
But maybe in a film as deeply personal as this, in which grief is the glue that binds each scene together, there needn’t be an overarching theme or narrative beyond the desire for remembrance.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
These dimensions normally cohere in the speaker, which binds a person to their words.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Selenium binds to protein, so protein-rich foods are usually high in this mineral.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 11 Feb. 2026
Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Citric acid binds to calcium, stopping these crystals from forming into stones.
—Zia Sherrell, Health, 7 Feb. 2026
Because that time binds them all together and still holds us all together in some way — including now, alas, in the honor of trying to mourn him together, too.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Injected semaglutide binds to these GLP-1 receptors and reduces appetite for nearly a week, ultimately causing people to eat less and lose weight.
—Bethany Brookshire, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026
Homemade cream cheese frosting binds it all together.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 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
-
Operating the facility safely will require close to 100 staff members, which directly ties to the broader recruitment and retention challenges at the Sheriff’s Office.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Dark, moody walls make the natural-wood bench and light floors stand out; a charming white dome pendant light ties the space together.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Capers, lemon juice, and pickles set this snack apart from the rest.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Watts-That Soul Food Southern fried pork chops and catfish share a menu with wings, Kool-Aid pickles and more at this soul food truck.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This trend has led to the treat turning up at national chains, like ALDI.—
Joseph Erbentraut,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Large chains or spiked jewelry.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
16 Feb. 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,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The complaint argues that Harvard’s failure to provide records violates a material term of its federal financial assistance and hampers the government’s ability to complete its review.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Winning from behind is not sustainable, and the predicaments in which Chelsea have found themselves this week point to other problems.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Rustin has slyly given her script a focus on women’s needs and feelings, a welcome departure for a genre that usually is more concerned about the men’s predicaments.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At one point, a fourth agent retrieved an extra pair of handcuffs.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Gales also owned a pair of handcuffs, identical to the ones on Kim Thomas’ body, and was seen near the Friedland home the morning of the homicide, Rudolf has said.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No equivalent mechanism constrains the Federal Reserve.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In this domain, AI agents have the potential to alleviate an increasingly acute shortage of engineering talent that constrains product development, customization, and innovation.—
Paul Eremenko,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While Season 3 brought a horror vibe to portraying Joe Leaphorn’s moral and personal dilemmas, Season 4 has its own, almost David Lynchian, style.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Parents of teens are faced with many dilemmas, one of which might be whether or not to allow their teen to get a job.—
Elisa Cinelli,
Parents,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
