chain

1 a series of things linked together the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain Synonyms of chain catena, catenation, concatenation, consecution, nexus, progression, sequence, string, train Words Related to chain chain reaction; belt, circle, cycle, vicious circle (also vicious cycle); continuum, gamut, gauntlet (also gantlet), scale, spectrum; flow, river, stream; file, line, queue, range, row, succession

2 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 of chain balk, bar, block, encumbrance, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammelWords Related to chain catch, hitch, rub, snag; barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall; arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint; embargo, stoppage; delay, holdup, stall; burden, cumber, load; danger, hazard, peril, reef; adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardshipNear Antonyms of chain catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus; advantage, break, edge; aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help

3 something that physically prevents free movement chains on the prisoner's ankles Synonyms of chain band, bind, bracelet, bond, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackleWords Related to chain captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction; entanglement, net, trammel, trap; collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket); fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

1 to confine or restrain with or as if with chains chaining up the dog in the backyard Synonyms of chain bind, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammelWords Related to chain bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss; attach, fasten, join, link; confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede; limit, restrict; entangle, tangleNear Antonyms of chain emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue; undo, unfasten, untangle, untie; detach, disengageAntonyms of chain unbind, unfetter, unshackle

2 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 of chain catenate, connect, compound, concatenate, conjugate, couple, hitch, hook, interconnect, interlink, join, link, yokeWords Related to chain articulate, dovetail, integrate, interlock, intermesh; cord, string, wire; cement, coalesce, combine, fuse, unite, weldNear Antonyms of chain detach, disengage, divide, part, split; cleave, rupture, sever, sunderAntonyms of chain disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke