Synonyms of cuff

cuff 1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkəf 

as in swipe

a hard strike with a part of the body or an instrument

the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swipe
• slap
• punch
• blow
• stroke
• thump
• thud
• knock
• pound
• whack
• hit
• clip
• poke
• smack
• lick
• sock
• spank
• belt
• hook
• slam
• bang
• beat
• welt
• knee
• clap
• stripe
• lash
• switch
• chop
• bat
• box
• kick
• crack
• swat
• bust
• pelt
• rap
• slug
• buffet
• hack
• bop
• plump
• stinger
• hand
• dab
• clout
• pounding
• bash
• thwack
• pick
• biff
• fillip
• wham
• haymaker
• smash
• licking
• swing
• wallop
• larrup
• counter
• beating
• left
• right
• whop
• douse
• counterstroke
• whip
• body blow
• hammering
• sucker punch
• shiver
• roundhouse
• counterblow
• whipping
• one-two
• uppercut
• counterpunch
• sidewinder
• knockdown
• rabbit punch
• knockout
• KO
• thrashing
• pasting
• battering
• pummeling
• flogging
• drubbing
• bastinado
• right-hander
• cruncher
• cudgeling
• bludgeoning
• clobbering
• kayo
• walloping
• lambasting

cuff

2 of 3

noun (2)

as in bracelet

usually cuffs plural something that physically prevents free movement

the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• chain
• band
• collar
• bind
• shackle
• ligature
• irons
• bond
• fetter
• restraint
• manacle(s)
• curb
• restriction
• constraint
• tie
• imprisonment
• confinement
• hindrance
• incarceration
• net
• enslavement
• captivity
• entanglement
• straitjacket
• trap
• trammel
• enchainment
• fastener
• holding
• immurement
• hold-down
• hobble
• hold

cuff

3 of 3

verb

as in to sock

Related Words

• sock
• box
• slap
• chop
• descend (on or upon)
• belt
• punch
• smack
• knock
• lay on
• raid
• whack
• swipe
• attack
• assault
• pounce (on or upon)
• clout
• paste
• hit
• bust
• leather
• spank
• jump (on)
• strap
• thwack
• swat
• crack
• cudgel
• paddle
• lam
• lace
• slam
• lash
• clobber
• punch out
• storm
• beset
• club
• slate
• wham
• bat
• rush
• tan
• lick
• hammer
• thump
• assail
• whip
• whomp
• curry
• cane
• work over
• smash
• pommel
• batter
• switch
• fib
• pummel
• hide
• birch
• maul
• buffet
• whale
• pelt
• rough (up)
• lather
• bludgeon
• bash
• drub
• baste
• thrash
• pound
• bung up
• wound
• thresh
• flog
• whup
• lambaste
• flagellate
• horsewhip
• belabor
• slog
• wallop
• rawhide
• whop
• lacerate
• mess (up)
• cowhide
• blackjack
• scourge
• tromp
• do
• gore
• pistol-whip
• beat
• fustigate
• mangle
• mutilate
• maim

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cuff

Noun

This isn’t the first time the Tate brothers have found themselves in cuffs. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 18 July 2026

Smiling and laughing cockily as he was led out of an NYPD precinct in cuffs, Assaidi was charged with reckless endangerment. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

Verb

That all changed when an argument over getting his money back from a North Miami Beach strip club in 2024 led officers to slam him to the ground, cuff him and later, hog-tie him in a holding cell at the North Miami Beach Police Department. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Go for a cropped style or cuff them so your hems doesn’t get soggy. — Kelsey Glennon, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Dec. 2025