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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Not to mention, few studios have purchased cinemas even after the Department of Justice rescinded the 1948 Paramount Consent Decrees, which previously disallowed studios from owning movie theater chains. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 The movies will screen at about 200 AMC locations, among other chains. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Aug. 2026 Imani Media Group has a distribution arm that has worked with Amazon, Tubi and the major theater chains. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 On the high end of the chains in its portfolio, the conglomerate owns Morton’s The Steakhouse, Mastro’s and The Palm. — CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 In the battery, the coated ceramic particles interact with the surrounding polymer chains and create interconnected pathways that allow lithium ions to travel more efficiently. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 At the Vetements show, Jayden looked like a pro in a white tank top tucked into a pair of light wash jeans with a brown leather belt and silver chains hanging around his hips. — Emma Banks, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026 By the end of the 1920s, major theater chains were dispensing with the organists and pit orchestras that had accompanied silent films. — David Woodard, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Supply chains are operational environments defined by speed, exceptions, competing priorities, and constant disruption. — George Ninikas, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Restaurant chains Chipotle and QDOBA pulled jalapeños last week. — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 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

That might also explain the movie’s attempts to supercharge its few action sequences, as if the filmmakers realized belatedly that a sad book without much incident wasn’t exactly prime summer studio release fodder.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
The genetic code is what life everywhere uses to convert the information contained in DNA into specific protein sequences.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sequences

Noun

The confrontation continued into the hallway, where security officers pinned Miller face-down to the floor and placed him in handcuffs.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026
Video taken after Jando’s arrest shows him being escorted in handcuffs by a squad of Mexican commandos.

— Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of handcuffs

Verb

Antinous attempts to shrug off the token’s return, but seemingly recognizes it, and realizes in full that Odysseus has returned for revenge when the man strings his bow.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
From Key Largo to Key West, the Overseas Highway strings the islands together like beads, running past lighthouses, underwater coral reef parks, and across the postcard-worthy Seven Mile Bridge.

— Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026

Definition of strings

Noun

Riccetti also argued that congestion caused by trains was a major factor in Hemphill traffic, and said that driver speeds along Hemphill are just too fast.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
Members maintain the club's 129-year-old building, construct new stretches of track and fix each other's trains.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026