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
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
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Recent Examples of chain
Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
The chain has nearly 100 global stores, many in New York City and London.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Many doors had been chained shut or blocked to try to stop trespassers, but that increased the danger for firefighters.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
Those microbes in turn produce short-chain fatty acids that reduce inflammation in the gut.
—Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
The chain has nearly 100 global stores, many in New York City and London.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Across the street, cars are parked bumper-to-bumper, and a sleek bicycle is chained to the streetlamp on the sidewalk in front of the red brick townhouse that’s been there since 1902.
—Literary Hub, 10 Apr. 2026
Many doors had been chained shut or blocked to try to stop trespassers, but that increased the danger for firefighters.
—Tony Aiello, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
The prosecuting attorney provided additional details to PEOPLE about the sequence of events in the murders Rodriguez admitted to in his plea.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
If the Heat had held on, if LaMelo Ball had not scored at the end, Tyler’s sequence would have gone down as one of the most dramatic in the franchise’s 38 seasons.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the end, the deepest release isn’t about getting a medical tag, but rather about understanding why those unrelenting obstacles continued to exist.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her look was completed with a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, a Bulgari ring, a Bulgari bracelet, a Deco bracelet and a diamond bracelet.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
This bracelet makes an excellent Mother’s Day jewelry gift.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whispers about sleazy behavior generally do not meet the coverage threshold for traditional newsrooms, which are bound by strict ethical standards.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Give families a challenge process that is transparent, time-bound and subject to appeal.—
Jacob Crainic,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This interactive balance board connects to a free app where your body becomes the controller, using movement to play engaging games.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Mike Schein went the distance with seven strikeouts and allowed only two hits, and Jason Weeks connected for a three-run home run as Billerica bested Haverhill in five innings in the Merrimack Valley Conference.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As an example, video taken in Austin showed a Waymo stop near train tracks as a train approached.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Riding on buses and trains in Seoul, Lee encountered electronic signs instructing riders on the etiquette of using public transportation.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Then, for Artemis IV, there are even greater hurdles.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His two-out, two-run double off Bryan Baker gave the Yankees a 3-2 lead in the eighth but Tampa Bay tied the score in the bottom half when Nick Fortes doubled leading off against Max Fried and scored on Yandy Díaz’s infield hit, a high-hopper to first baseman Ben Rice.—
Kristie Ackert,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
His father was the fourth generation in a long line of gentlemen ranchers—weekend cowboys who’d made their fortune in Austin as attorneys for large oil companies, but whose identity was still tied to the thousands of acres that the family owned near Marfa.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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