CHAINS Synonyms: 216 Similar and Opposite Words

chains 1 of 2

noun

plural of chain

as in sequences

a series of things linked together the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain

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Relevance

as in obstacles

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

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as in handcuffs

something that physically prevents free movement chains on the prisoner's ankles

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chains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chain

as in binds

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

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as in strings

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

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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 chains

Noun

Like many mattress brands, some hotel chains offer a lengthy trial period, warranty, and even white glove delivery to make a pricey purchase worthwhile. —

Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026 The concept resembles drive-through beverage chains such as Dutch Bros Coffee and the Human Bean. —

Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026 The home run jacket and chains were hanging in the Dominican Republic dugout before first pitch Sunday, waiting for their first call. —

Noah Gulley, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026 The taco brand’s aggressive expansion comes at a time when some restaurants in the fast-casual genre — a step up from conventional fast-food chains — are showing signs of weakness. —

Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026 In these cases, scientists think the extreme characteristics of the black holes involved in these mergers are the result of prior collisions, providing evidence of merger chains that explain how some black holes grow to masses billions of times that of the sun. —

Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Mar. 2026 The team has bonded over dinners, flights, text chains and dugout conversations. —

Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Their small size encourages customers to order multiple at once, setting them apart from traditional burger chains. —

Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026 New arrivals include national chains like Bonchon, Dutch Bros, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar and Wayback Burgers. —

Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026

Verb

To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review. —

Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote. —

John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025 Texas Roadhouse, which also operates casual dining chains Bubba’s 33 and Jaggers, is expected to report third-quarter results at the end of October. —

Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chains

Noun

Fragment-sequences in time swept toward a place before history, before chronology, where everything that ever-happened fades, where past present and future exist all at once in the sea of African time.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.

— Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2026