Synonyms of chain

chain 1 of 2

noun

ˈchān 

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

• sequence
• train
• string
• progression
• concatenation
• catena
• nexus
• catenation
• consecution
• continuum
• belt
• chain reaction
• cycle
• circle
• scale
• spectrum
• gauntlet
• flow
• file
• river
• stream
• succession
• vicious circle
• gamut
• queue
• line
• row
• range

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

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• barrier
• embarrassment
• interference
• block
• let
• shackles
• burden
• inhibition
• impediment
• deterrent
• bar
• stop
• encumbrance
• constraint
• hindrance
• hitch
• stumbling block
• manacle
• load
• brake
• handicap
• drag
• clog
• crimp
• fetter
• trammel
• cramp
• delay
• balk
• holdback
• blockade
• stone wall
• rub
• arrest
• curb
• catch
• brick wall
• disadvantage
• restraint
• danger
• blockage
• rein
• embargo
• hazard
• stoppage
• snag
• stall
• difficulty
• reef
• bit
• holdup
• hobble
• drawback
• hardship
• check
• peril
• cumber
• adversity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• catalyst
• stimulus
• impetus
• spur
• advantage
• edge
• break
• assistance
• benefit
• stimulant
• aid
• goad
• help
• boost
• handmaiden

3

as in bracelet

something that physically prevents free movement

chains on the prisoner's ankles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• bind
• shackle
• band
• confinement
• bond
• tie
• collar
• irons
• ligature
• fetter
• constraint
• trap
• cuff(s)
• restriction
• holding
• manacle(s)
• restraint
• entanglement
• curb
• enslavement
• enchainment
• hindrance
• imprisonment
• incarceration
• captivity
• net
• fastener
• trammel
• straitjacket
• hold
• immurement
• hold-down
• hobble

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

• bind
• tie
• shackle
• hamper
• handcuff
• lash
• enchain
• pinion
• fetter
• confine
• manacle
• link
• constrain
• attach
• trammel
• enfetter
• gyve
• iron
• secure
• bit
• truss
• fasten
• curb
• limit
• hobble
• hinder
• restrict
• join
• impede
• hog-tie
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• release
• loose
• rescue
• free
• liberate
• undo
• unbind
• emancipate
• unshackle
• unfetter
• untie
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

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

• connect
• string
• link
• couple
• integrate
• interconnect
• compound
• hook
• yoke
• combine
• conjugate
• concatenate
• join
• catenate
• hitch
• interlink
• cord
• wire
• interlock
• weld
• dovetail
• cement
• fuse
• intermesh
• articulate
• coalesce
• unite

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• separate
• disconnect
• split
• part
• uncouple
• unhitch
• divide
• detach
• disunite
• unchain
• disengage
• unlink
• sever
• disjoint
• dissever
• disjoin
• rupture
• cleave
• unyoke
• sunder

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chain

Noun

The former iPic movie theater in Pasadena is expected to reopen in early December under the management of the Look dine-in theater chain. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026

Jason Link, an Agridime livestock broker and the company’s meat chain director, was found guilty of two counts of wire fraud, one count of wire fraud conspiracy and two counts of money laundering. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

Verb

Other specialty markets, including the Asian grocery chains 99 Ranch Market and T&T Supermarket, are also expanding in Southern California. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

That frees up human operators to focus on big-picture decisions, such as monitoring weather forecasts, running flight simulations for possible paths, and then chaining together a series of navigational waypoints for the smoothest possible journey. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing chain

• food chain