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

In addition to big chains like Chipotle and Pitfire Pizza, a host of Mexican food options ranging from late-night taco trucks to sit-down restaurants now line Sunset Boulevard. — Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

The World Cup 2026 is down to quarterfinals, but restaurant chains are still getting into the game. — Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Layer it over dainty gold or silver chains for a maximalist jewelry moment. — Kelsey Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026

Fathom Entertainment, the specialty distributor jointly owned by major theater chains AMC, Cinemark and Regal, has named Jason Brenek its new CEO. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Those buyers range from large retail chains and even some brands to vintage shops, and professional resellers. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 July 2026

The agreement is aimed at translating research and development into practical defense applications more quickly while helping the Netherlands build stronger positions in international defense and dual-use technology chains. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Lotte Shopping revealed in a corporate filing on Wednesday that the memorandum of understanding signed with Megabox parent company Contentree JoongAng to merge the two chains was terminated on June 30. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 2 July 2026

Gas stations have been reinventing themselves for the past decade with food offerings that rival many established grub-only chains. — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 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