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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement
chains on the prisoner's ankles
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in binds
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 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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chains
Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Play Haus embraces child-like maximalism with candy-bright color palettes, cartoonish ceramics, paper chains, and a touch of chaos.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
Pimental had moved the chains all game, but on fourth-and-goal from the eight, Colon made the stop of the season.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian grill and other restaurant chains in Michigan, is closing a number of restaurants this fall.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Several of the sick people reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo meals purchased from grocery store chains.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
From Red Lobster to Starbucks, there are several chains celebrating our military community with drink deals and food freebies.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Just to keep the chains moving and possess the ball a little more.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
There is also some evidence that hotel chains are faltering.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Stakeholders will closely monitor effects on private grocery chains, jobs, and the overall cost of living in the city.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Play Haus embraces child-like maximalism with candy-bright color palettes, cartoonish ceramics, paper chains, and a touch of chaos.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
Pimental had moved the chains all game, but on fourth-and-goal from the eight, Colon made the stop of the season.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian grill and other restaurant chains in Michigan, is closing a number of restaurants this fall.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Several of the sick people reported eating chicken fettuccine alfredo meals purchased from grocery store chains.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
From Red Lobster to Starbucks, there are several chains celebrating our military community with drink deals and food freebies.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Just to keep the chains moving and possess the ball a little more.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2025
There is also some evidence that hotel chains are faltering.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
-
A couple of these sequences are amusing, especially when two clueless and drunk teens drop by, and also when one of the victims mistakenly locks herself in the wrong car to get away only to discover Ben has the keys.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tarr's reputation for films tinged with misery and hard-heartedness, distinguished by black-and-white cinematography and unusually long sequences, only grew throughout the 1990s and 2000s, particularly after his 1994 film Sátántangó.—
Alina Edwards,
NPR,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Institutions were obstacles to be blamed or bypassed.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Ladders can help fish circumvent these obstacles, but learning to navigate them can take the animals days.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Brown was seen in handcuffs after the incident, but no arrests were made at the time because police could not locate a victim, WPLG reported.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Officers eventually placed the man into handcuffs after a struggle.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When this sickening sensation happens, the nervous system releases a chemical messenger called substance P, which then binds to receptors in the brain that activate the vomiting reflex — specifically neurokinin-1, or NK-1, receptors.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
This piece of legislation legally binds the US to help Taiwan defend itself against stronger neighbors, like China.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The companies did not share details, but some aviation experts told NPR that some cargo could be shifted to passenger planes, trains and trucks.—
NPR,
NPR,
9 Nov. 2025
-
While there are high-speed trains to Istanbul from other parts of Turkey, the easiest way to get there is to fly, as you’ll be deposited right in the heart of this sprawling megacity.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Getting to the rollout has not been without hurdles, though, with teams continuing to work around the clock.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The tennis bracelets alone totaled 225 diamonds.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
To end the meal, our waitress tied red string bracelets with small wooden charms around our wrists, a gesture meant to bring good fortune in the year ahead.—
Angela Lian,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Colin Farrell reprised his role as Oz Cobb on HBO's The Penguin, which ties into the events of The Batman Part II.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
-
An insurgency that ties the United States down in Venezuela would delight Beijing and Russia.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Chains.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chains. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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