Synonyms of fetter

fetter 1 of 2

noun

ˈfe-tər 

1

as in restriction

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 & Similar Words

• restriction
• constraint
• limitation
• restraint
• curb
• stricture
• condition
• circumscription
• prohibition
• exception
• stipulation
• check
• proviso
• qualification
• strings
• ban
• reservation
• proscription

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freedom
• latitude

2

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult

claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• barrier
• embarrassment
• shackles
• interference
• hindrance
• chain
• let
• impediment
• burden
• inhibition
• encumbrance
• constraint
• manacle
• handicap
• deterrent
• trammel
• block
• cramp
• stumbling block
• stop
• clog
• crimp
• brake
• load
• hitch
• balk
• drag
• bar
• blockade
• rein
• holdback
• blockage
• delay
• restraint
• rub
• curb
• danger
• stone wall
• arrest
• disadvantage
• catch
• brick wall
• embargo
• hobble
• hazard
• stoppage
• snag
• difficulty
• stall
• hardship
• bit
• reef
• cumber
• peril
• drawback
• holdup
• check
• adversity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• spur
• incentive
• stimulus
• impetus
• catalyst
• advantage
• edge
• break
• aid
• stimulant
• goad
• assistance
• benefit
• help
• boost
• handmaiden

3

as in chain

something that physically prevents free movement

considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

fetter

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to bind

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 & Similar Words

• bind
• tie
• enchain
• handcuff
• shackle
• hamper
• constrain
• confine
• chain
• lash
• trammel
• manacle
• pinion
• gyve
• attach
• hinder
• enfetter
• iron
• restrict
• impede
• hobble
• fasten
• secure
• bit
• limit
• link
• curb
• truss
• hog-tie
• tangle
• join
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• liberate
• release
• free
• emancipate
• loose
• rescue
• unshackle
• unbind
• unfetter
• undo
• untie
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

2

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass
• shackle
• handicap
• inhibit
• encumber
• restrain
• interfere (with)
• handcuff
• cramp
• hobble
• stymie
• constrain
• delay
• trammel
• block
• tie up
• manacle
• clog
• hold back
• disrupt
• hog-tie
• bind
• short-circuit
• tie
• rein
• frustrate
• thwart
• brake
• tether
• stifle
• curb
• cramp one's style
• give a hard time
• leash
• hold up
• strangle
• retard
• chain
• retain
• balk
• check
• choke
• blockade
• arrest
• confine
• halter
• barricade
• bog (down)
• mire
• muzzle
• suffocate
• smother
• repress
• baffle
• derail
• sabotage
• foil
• stump
• roadblock
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• aid
• facilitate
• assist
• open
• liberate
• make way
• free
• release
• clear
• loosen
• untie
• unstop
• unclog
• promote
• unplug
• encourage
• smooth
• further

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb fetter contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fetter are clog, hamper, manacle, shackle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might clog be a better fit than fetter?

While in some cases nearly identical to fetter, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

Where would hamper be a reasonable alternative to fetter?

The words hamper and fetter can be used in similar contexts, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

How does the word shackle relate to other synonyms for fetter?

Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

When can trammel be used instead of fetter?

The words trammel and fetter are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fetter

Noun

To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. — Jeremy Mennis, The Conversation, 1 May 2026

And just as sweet is releasing the fetters of material limits by reshaping the world with innovative ideas in energy. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2026

The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project. — Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025

Like all great period romances, Maurice places aching desire at the forefront, with the men's palpable yearning made all the more soul-shattering by the fetters of their time. — Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025

One man even contrived somehow to get across while still in iron fetters. — Adam Goodheart, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023

Rumors circulated before the killing of Khashoggi that King Salman was concerned enough to consider putting some fetters on his heir. — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2018

Verb

While some players were able to weather that storm – defenseman Joel Edmundson played all 82 games for the first time in a career often fettered by injuries – others paid a price. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

This comes in the wake of millions of apps being dumped from Play Store for not being good enough and an expansion of Google’s Play Integrity API to fetter app behaviors on phones no longer eligible for security updates — Android 12 or older. — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Our vote, secret and simple, not fettered by any AI or the eyes of an authoritarian who threatens those who disagree with him, ensures that our union endures. — John D. Witiak, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2024

Certain wandered between rows of mannequins fettered with leg irons, claustrophobic dungeon cells and a towering guillotine. — Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023

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