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

American eating habits are shifting toward high-protein options, prompting major fast-food chains to reimagine traditional morning foods to meet growing consumer demand for functional nutrition. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Other chains found that promotions did little to offset pressure on lower-income consumers. — Savyata Mishra, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

In a major blow to the org’s solidarity, the CEOs of the two largest theater chains, AMC’s Adam Aron and Regal’s Eduardo Acuna, are throwing their support behind the $111 billion deal. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

Large home-improvement chains would have been required to send documentation of immigration enforcement activity to the California attorney general within 24 hours and publish daily reports detailing raids at their stores. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Rescuers formed human chains to remove debris using picks and basic tools. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Cinema United, a lobbying group that represents theater chains big and small, remains opposed to the deal. — Bloomberg, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026

Rescuers formed human chains to remove bricks and masonry, stopping every few minutes to listen for signs of life from those trapped below. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Feltheimer joins fellow deal supporters TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and the CEOs of major theater chains AMC and Regal, who have recently made public comments on it. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 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