chain 1 of 2

noun

ˈchān How to pronounce chain (audio)
Definition of chainnext
1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bracelet
something that physically prevents free movement chains on the prisoner's ankles

Synonyms & Similar Words

chain

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains chaining up the dog in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 chain
Noun
These are all links in a special chain that get attention only if the receiver makes the catch. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 These principles should extend across the entire AI value chain, from energy, chips, data, agents and models to business services and, ultimately, business outcomes. — Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
The agents chained together a series of vulnerabilities to reach the open web and eventually gained access to Hugging Face. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 During the protest, participants wore wedding dresses, duct-taped their mouths and chained their wrists on the Capitol steps to call on lawmakers to pass the measure. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
  1. sequence
  2. obstacle
  3. bracelet
  4. bind
  5. connect
  6. train
  7. hurdle
  8. tie
Noun
  • This sequence should also be followed at the pitch-side monitor, but sometimes the VAR cuts straight to slow motion replays in the interests of speed.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The incident closely paralleled the sequence of events that in July resulted in another group of OpenAI’s agents launching cyberattacks against the company Hugging Face.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • The report released by the NBA’s investigators at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz portrays Ballmer and the team as treating the league’s salary cap rules not as strict mandates, but as obstacles to be evaded, like traffic cones.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Around 32% of previous cohorts are now hiring or championing others for more senior roles, with 68% of alums citing access to decision makers is the single biggest obstacle to career progression.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • As well, her Darlene De Sedle 22k gold and opal diamond ring and matching crystal opal bracelet from the suite once owned by Elizabeth Taylor and gifted to her by her husband.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Shop Official KPop Demon Hunters Jewelry The KPop Demon Hunters capsule collection includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets and keychains inspired by HUNTR/X, the fictional K-pop singing trio in the film.
    — Tim Chan, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of bracelet
Verb
  • When the College Football Playoff selection committee pores over data points and debates the merits of each at-large hopeful in early December, the results of Week 2 are bound to loom large.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • A week after the big score, Chetal's parents were driving in Danbury, Connecticut, when several masked men cut them off, forced them out of their new car, beat Chetal's father with a baseball bat, shoved the couple into a van and bound their hands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of bind
Verb
  • That gave Michigan one more shot, and Underwood made this one count, connecting with JJ Buchanan for a game-winning 47-yard touchdown to avert disaster in Kyle Whittingham’s debut as Wolverines coach.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The next step will connect microscopic damage with the properties that matter most for fusion magnets.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of connect
Noun
  • While attacks on trains have become more frequent and passengers are often evacuated on their journeys, rail remains a popular way to travel between the cities.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Michel Navas and Enrico Barbasini, the founders of La Fabrique du Temps, created a new jumping hour complication inspired by the mechanical departure boards found in airports and train stations the world over.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of train
Noun
  • Earlier models relied on broad hydrological assumptions and missed practical engineering hurdles.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
  • At that moment Benson was tempted to use his vertical leap of more than 40 inches to simply glide over him like going over hurdles in a 110-meter race.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • The company says those sensors can help with reminders and brief activity records tied to relevant interactions rather than continuous recording.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This increase in work, the jury contended, was directly tied to Skains’ decision to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which determined Skains had the right to sue over the discrimination.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of tie

Phrases Containing chain

Browse Nearby Words

chagrins
chain
chained
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on chain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shofar

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All