Synonyms of chains

chains 1 of 2

noun

plural of chain

1

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

• sequences
• trains
• strings
• progressions
• concatenations
• nexuses
• belts
• consecutions
• catenations
• circles
• catenae
• gauntlets
• cycles
• scales
• chain reactions
• spectra
• streams
• rivers
• flows
• files
• rows
• queues
• successions
• vicious circles
• lines
• continua
• ranges
• gamuts

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacles
• hurdles
• barriers
• obstructions
• shackles
• embarrassments
• manacles
• fetters
• blocks
• constraints
• burdens
• trammels
• impediments
• interferences
• hindrances
• inhibitions
• lets
• cramps
• bars
• handicaps
• clogs
• encumbrances
• deterrents
• loads
• stops
• stumbling blocks
• hitches
• brakes
• restraints
• crimps
• balks
• holdbacks
• drags
• blockades
• delays
• reins
• stone walls
• snags
• dangers
• disadvantages
• rubs
• curbs
• arrests
• brick walls
• blockages
• hazards
• catches
• embargoes
• stoppages
• difficulties
• stalls
• reefs
• bits
• hobbles
• perils
• hardships
• holdups
• drawbacks
• checks
• adversities
• cumbers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentives
• stimuli
• catalysts
• spurs
• stimulants
• advantages
• edges
• breaks
• benefits
• goads
• help
• aids
• impetuses
• assistances
• handmaidens
• boosts

3

as in handcuffs

something that physically prevents free movement

chains on the prisoner's ankles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handcuffs
• bracelets
• shackles
• cuffs
• manacles
• binds
• bands
• confinements
• fetters
• ties
• bonds
• irons
• constraints
• collars
• restraints
• traps
• ligatures
• restrictions
• holdings
• hindrances
• entanglements
• curbs
• trammels
• captivities
• imprisonments
• incarcerations
• nets
• straitjackets
• enslavements
• fasteners
• enchainments
• hobbles
• holds
• immurements
• hold-downs

chains

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of chain

1

as in binds

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

chaining up the dog in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• binds
• ties
• handcuffs
• shackles
• fetters
• hampers
• confines
• manacles
• lashes
• constrains
• bits
• enchains
• gyves
• pinions
• links
• trammels
• irons
• attaches
• enfetters
• trusses
• curbs
• limits
• fastens
• hobbles
• secures
• hinders
• restricts
• hog-ties
• joins
• impedes
• tangles
• entangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• releases
• liberates
• frees
• rescues
• unbinds
• emancipates
• unshackles
• looses
• unties
• unfetters
• unfastens
• undoes
• untangles
• detaches
• disengages

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• strings
• connects
• links
• couples
• interconnects
• yokes
• hooks
• compounds
• integrates
• conjugates
• interlinks
• wires
• combines
• hitches
• concatenates
• joins
• cords
• interlocks
• catenates
• welds
• dovetails
• fuses
• intermeshes
• cements
• articulates
• coalesces
• unites

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disconnects
• parts
• separates
• uncouples
• splits
• disjoins
• unchains
• divides
• unlinks
• detaches
• disengages
• unhitches
• disjoints
• disunites
• dissevers
• unyokes
• severs
• cleaves
• sunders
• ruptures

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chains

Noun

Peptides are short chains of amino acids and act as the building blocks of proteins in the body. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Chipotle Mexican Grill executives said consumers' mistrust of chains serving fresh lettuce weighed on sales in the second half of July. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 July 2026

Lettuce sales at supermarkets, along with visits to several food and restaurant chains where popular menu items include lettuce, have also declined since the outbreak began, CBS News found. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Other chains are also feeling some impact from the outbreak even though they haven’t been named in government investigations. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 30 July 2026

Here's what to know about the deals chains are offering in honor of the sweet treat. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Unlike other restaurant chains that have relied on higher prices to counteract declining customer traffic, Cheesecake Factory has reported steady traffic growth. — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Coffee chains are also capitalizing on this trend, with chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ offering protein milks for customers who want to get more out of their morning coffee. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2026

Shannah Miller, vice president of marketing for Fathom, a company owned by the country's top theater chains, has watched demand keep expanding. — ABC News, 23 July 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