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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Food makers, grocery chains and other retailers are adapting to those changes in consumer habits. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Beyond healthcare, other breaches have recently disrupted anything from supermarket chains to core education applications. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 And in Corinth Square, there’s a variety of restaurants — including new spots and many chains — diners could spend money during their 30-minute lunch break. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 Pepsi's relationship with Taco Bell and KFC parent Yum Brands spans decades, back to when the beverage giant owned the restaurant chains before spinning them into a separate public company in 1997. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 The new socialist government nationalized major industries, including agriculture, steel, banking and grocery chains. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 Today, that same brand may simultaneously sell through Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, TikTok Shop, Shopify, wholesale distributors, specialty retailers and regional grocery chains. — Tom Wicky, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 More than seven in 10 of these high earners are now being forced to shop at discount grocery chains to save cash. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 The protection of American jobs justified the chains of bondage, or so the argument went. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Other specialty markets, including the Asian grocery chains 99 Ranch Market and T&T Supermarket, are also expanding in Southern California. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chains

Noun

Large language models are designed to predict likely sequences of language.

— Ethan Stone, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
During one of the film’s most unsettling sequences, the main character, Peter, wakes up in bed disoriented.

— Arryn Robbins, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sequences

Noun

Icy weather, snowstorms, obstructive foliage and rugged terrain along the wild Rockies were just some of the obstacles Ben Nickell and Anne Koski faced on a 10-year journey to climb the highest point in each of Idaho’s 44 counties.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Noun

Muñoz was put in handcuffs in his pajamas and taken into federal custody downtown.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
After hours of torture, Chamberlain managed to free one of her hands from a pair of handcuffs with her teeth, unclip a leather leg restraint and quietly bolt out the door as Evonitz slept.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of handcuffs

Verb

In an era of parasocial pop stardom, the radical honesty of Cyrus’ approach — her clear-eyed appraisal of the relationship that binds an idol and her audience — was kind of a thrill to behold.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
A certain symmetry binds her career and the league – 15 years, half of the league’s existence.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of binds

Verb

Antinous attempts to shrug off the token’s return, but seemingly recognizes it, and realizes in full that Odysseus has returned for revenge when the man strings his bow.

— Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
From Key Largo to Key West, the Overseas Highway strings the islands together like beads, running past lighthouses, underwater coral reef parks, and across the postcard-worthy Seven Mile Bridge.

— Sarah Rose, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026

Definition of strings

Noun

Teddy bears and trains, baseballs and dolls dance through the air into Santa's enormous sack, which sits at Santa's feet, or rather Harry's, who is perched high on the throne at the back of the float, magnificent in white whiskers and red velvet.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Longer trains were also in full force to create an extra dramatic moment while heading down the aisle.

— Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of trains

Noun

That approach has encouraged customers to purchase multiple bracelets, often coordinating them with watches.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
The motif appears in necklaces with interlocking links, substantial bracelets, earrings, and rings, each playing with the shape's elegant proportions.

— Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026