Thesaurus

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, stricture

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, let, 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

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, enfetter, gyve, 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, short-circuit, 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

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

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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