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
David Moin, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
The burger chain’s stock has lost nearly 50% of its value this year.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
He was allegedly chained for much of that time and was released from them on his wedding anniversary, when he was finally allowed to shower.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
Does the KnitWell Group — operator of Ann Taylor, Loft, Talbots and Chico’s — have another retail chain in the making?
—David Moin, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
The burger chain’s stock has lost nearly 50% of its value this year.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
The giant ugly sea monster Cetus was closing in on a beach where Princess Andromeda was chained to a rock by her own parents, Cassiopeia and Cepheus, the king and queen of ancient Ethiopia.
—Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025
He was allegedly chained for much of that time and was released from them on his wedding anniversary, when he was finally allowed to shower.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
That started with the volleyball spike of a 7-foot-1 player’s hook shot and continued to the tallest player in the league calmly breaking into a left-handed push dribble, coming under control and then hitting a complex six-dribble sequence and stepback 3-pointer plus the foul.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a spiritual dimension to that song and that sequence in the movie.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Still, recent history has thrown obstacles in the way of developers’ timelines for Sacramento-area sports venues.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
It was struck down, eliminating an obstacle for those lawsuits to get to trial.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For accessories, Stewart often turns to solitaire diamond earrings and simple rings, with her top jewelry brands including Van Cleef & Arpels’ pendants and Cartier, with the Tank watch in metal bracelet and alligator straps, as a staple piece.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Both the company and the CPSC advise consumers to stop using the green bracelet immediately and return either the bracelet or the entire package to any H-E-B store for a full refund.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Ohtani’s really did appear to be lunar-bound.—
Steve Rushin,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Even though October 31 is officially behind us, the rollout of celebrity Halloween costumes are bound to continue over the next couple of days.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
1 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Firefox mention comes a week after a full-on crossover with Nashville's 911 dispatcher Cammie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) appearing on the mothership 9-1-1, helping Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) connect with Athena (Angela Bassett) and Hen (Aisha Hinds) in space.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Both also connected really deeply with their big-name players and understood how to communicate with those individuals to get the best out of them.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Local resident Lee Needham also told the BBC that the crash site was close to houses, train tracks, industrial units and electrical towers.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The finding could also influence other technologies that rely on magnetic and electronic properties, from MRI machines to maglev trains and even superconductors.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Separately, industry experts point to fundamental technical hurdles.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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The landfill project has faced several hurdles and drawn the ire of residents since 2024, when Chisholm filed an application for a permit.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The post 9/11 blunders in which Cheney played a part can be tied to the rise of ISIS, perennial instability in the Middle East, the migrant crisis and the crushing debt burden ($38 trillion and counting) that looms over the US economy.—
Ben Wedeman,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This was tied at 20-20 through 14 minutes, until the game went tilt with a 20-5 Aztecs run to close the half.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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