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
Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
To crystallize the volatile — even violent — energy that binds artistic connections across space and time.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
What ultimately binds people to a city, or to a country, is a social contract that governs their lives.
—Mina Al-Oraibi, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
When a person has two copies of this genetic mutation, the CCR5 surface protein, to which HIV commonly binds, is prevented from being expressed on human immune cells called T cells.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps remove it from the body.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 9 Apr. 2026
In The Long Game, Shane and Ilya are forced to confront their fears and insecurities — wrestling with codependency, depression, and self-perception — while trying to maintain the love that binds them.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
The recluse toxin binds to the surface of cells and scoots along it like a lawn mower, clipping the heads off molecules on this surface.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
From the prohibition against representation that binds the globe in images.
—Timmy Straw, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Chamomile tea contains apigenin, which binds to GABA receptors producing a mild sedative effect.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2026
To crystallize the volatile — even violent — energy that binds artistic connections across space and time.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2026
What ultimately binds people to a city, or to a country, is a social contract that governs their lives.
—Mina Al-Oraibi, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
When a person has two copies of this genetic mutation, the CCR5 surface protein, to which HIV commonly binds, is prevented from being expressed on human immune cells called T cells.
—Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 13 Apr. 2026
Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps remove it from the body.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 9 Apr. 2026
In The Long Game, Shane and Ilya are forced to confront their fears and insecurities — wrestling with codependency, depression, and self-perception — while trying to maintain the love that binds them.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
The recluse toxin binds to the surface of cells and scoots along it like a lawn mower, clipping the heads off molecules on this surface.
—Matthew Cordes, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
From the prohibition against representation that binds the globe in images.
—Timmy Straw, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 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
-
House Enrolled Act 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration, and utilities will use a three-year rate plan.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The finishing touch is Zab’s Ranch, which ties the dish together with a sweet heat that lingers just long enough to keep each bite interesting.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Add a layer of shredded lettuce, glazed chicken, pickles and vegetable salad.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The original Big Crispy features mayo and pickles, while the spicy version has spicy mayo.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The cell maintains this state with machines called electron transport chains that pump out thousands of protons per second.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
With a smorgasbord of food deals from local and national chains to choose from, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 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,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The hospital's public safety officers were trained to use pepper gel, batons, and handcuffs.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
By the end of the school day, the little girl’s stepmother was in handcuffs.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This includes other priority areas along the Florida Wildlife Corridor where development constrains animal movement.—
Eve Bohnett,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Limited access constrains health care, education, digital connectivity and job creation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But that mood turns out to be a surprisingly strong fit for the performer at the center of director Pete Ohs’ story of personal dilemmas and natural disasters.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has grappled with multiple complex problems and political dilemmas.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
