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

Private equity firms control most major chains, maintaining local branding for customer trust. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 23 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

And demand wasn’t particularly high, as people on Orkney preferred to eat presliced white bread from supermarket chains. — Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

Some points cards are affiliated with hotel chains and can be redeemed for hotel stays. — Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Supply chains evolve Unlike consumer electronics, automotive components must meet strict qualification standards while remaining available over extended production cycles. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026

Paramount argued that Amazon MGM, or other distributors like A24 or Lionsgate, could increase production levels if Paramount cut its output, undercutting any pricing power that Paramount might have over theater chains. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 16 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