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fetter

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of fetter

1 something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
  • a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
Synonyms of fetter

check, circumscription, condition, constraint, curb, limitation, restraint, restriction
Words Related to fetter

exception, proviso, qualification, reservation, stipulation, strings

ban, prohibition, proscription
Near Antonyms of fetter

freedom, latitude
2 something that makes movement or progress difficult
  • claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
Synonyms of fetter

balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
Words Related to fetter

catch, hitch, rub, snag

barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall

arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint

embargo, stoppage

delay, holdup, stall

burden, cumber, load

danger, hazard, peril, reef

adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
Near Antonyms of fetter

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus

advantage, break, edge

aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help
3 something that physically prevents free movement
  • He considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident.
Synonyms of fetter

band, bind, bond, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackle
Words Related to fetter

captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction

entanglement, net, trammel, trap

collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket)

fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

fetter

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of fetter

1 to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
  • museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
Synonyms of fetter

bind, chain, enchain, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel
Words Related to fetter

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss

attach, fasten, join, link

confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede

limit, restrict

entangle, tangle
Near Antonyms of fetter

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue

undo, unfasten, untangle, untie

detach, disengage
Antonyms of fetter

unbind, unfetter, unshackle
2 to create difficulty for the work or activity of
  • the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
Synonyms of fetter

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, stymie, tie up, trammel
Words Related to fetter

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain

bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie

arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard

barricade, block, blockade, roadblock

bog (down), mire

choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate

baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart

derail, disrupt, sabotage

muzzle, repress, suppress

confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
Phrases Synonymous with fetter

cramp one's style, give a hard time
Near Antonyms of fetter

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop

free, liberate, release, untie

loosen, smooth

encourage, further, promote
Antonyms of fetter

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Synonym Discussion of fetter

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.
    • hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate
trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
    • rules that trammel the artist's creativity
clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
    • a court system clogged by frivolous suits
fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
    • a nation fettered by an antiquated class system
shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.
    • a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
    • a people manacled by tyranny

Learn More about fetter

  1. See words that rhyme with fetter Dictionary: Definition of fetter Spanish Central: Translation of fetter Nglish: Translation of fetter for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fetter for Arabic speakers

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