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

Next came an exhibition around a creepy Howdy Doody-ish figure that met countless violent fates while being cast about mechanistically on chains in 2016. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

By the end of the 1920s, major theater chains were dispensing with the organists and pit orchestras that had accompanied silent films. — David Woodard, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Fast-food chains are looking to the past for their latest big menu makeover. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Hydrogen and fuel cells are among the few clean-energy value chains where the two countries still have a technological lead, Pandey said. — Jenny Lee,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Supply chains are operational environments defined by speed, exceptions, competing priorities, and constant disruption. — George Ninikas, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Diners are also trading up to fast-casual chains like Cava and Chipotle, which both called out strong growth among lower-end consumers during the latest quarter. — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

The treats line the freezer aisle at major grocery chains including Publix, Harris Teeter, Walmart and Food Lion, according to an online product finder on Outshine’s website. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026

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

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