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

This trend has led to the treat turning up at national chains, like ALDI. —

Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2026 Large chains or spiked jewelry. —

Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 16 Feb. 2026 Like grocery store chains, most fast-food establishments will welcome customers on Presidents Day. —

Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026 Noll noted that academic studies have found that estimates often overlook that a large portion of hotel and rental car revenue goes to national chains based outside the region. —

Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2026 In larger grocery store chains that’s just not always the case. —

Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026 Instead, Elordi’s Heathcliff collars and chains Oliver’s Isabella herself, instructing her to bark like a dog. —

Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026 If chains are required on the highway, they will likely be needed on local streets as well. —

Sacbee.com, 13 Feb. 2026 If humans must route every meaningful choice through approval chains, the organization becomes its own bottleneck. —

Amy Eliza Wong, Fortune, 9 Feb. 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

The opening sequences feature Gomis in a Paris studio auditioning first-time actors Correa and Kouadio, along with a host of other potential cast members.

— Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Their 11 goals conceded from direct attacks (defined as shot or goal-ending open-play sequences that start inside the team’s half and move at least 50 per cent towards the goal) that year were only exceeded by Luton Town and Sheffield United (13), who both ended up relegated.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026