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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fetter
Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
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
The solution to this question can be reached not by deifying the nation, but on the contrary by completely liberating productive forces from the fetters imposed upon them by the national state.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
One man even contrived somehow to get across while still in iron fetters.
—Adam Goodheart, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023
Its stage is where King Kong broke his fetters in the 1933 movie.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
And then there’s the New Deal, another famous attempt to slap fetters on the rough beast of capitalism.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
This early recording is unique—brisk and pugnacious, a stormy, bitter Schubert raging against his earthly fetters and then distilling his passions, in the last movement, into headlong lunges, dazzling whirls, and delicate pirouettes.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2020
Like the shrimp and grits, the fetter papa burger ($15) is appropriately decadent.
—Lindsey McClave, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2019
Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Mar. 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
Ruskin felt insulted and legally fettered by the verdict.
—Adrian Dannatt, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023
Certain wandered between rows of mannequins fettered with leg irons, claustrophobic dungeon cells and a towering guillotine.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
After the beating, he was fettered in iron chains around his ankles, which would rub his skin raw.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Teddy Roosevelt broke up the trusts, regulated the food supply, created the National Park System, and fettered the railroads.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
Botany was also often fettered to expertise in gardening, another activity that fell within the realm of the feminine.
—Amandas Ong, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2018
In many developing countries, girls face two starkly divergent paths: one fettered by gender inequality and cut short by early childbearing and the other offering personal fulfillment and economic improvement that benefit families and nations.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2018
Noun
But Trump famously wriggles free from such fetters and resists being hemmed in.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
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
The solution to this question can be reached not by deifying the nation, but on the contrary by completely liberating productive forces from the fetters imposed upon them by the national state.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
One man even contrived somehow to get across while still in iron fetters.
—Adam Goodheart, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023
Its stage is where King Kong broke his fetters in the 1933 movie.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
And then there’s the New Deal, another famous attempt to slap fetters on the rough beast of capitalism.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
This early recording is unique—brisk and pugnacious, a stormy, bitter Schubert raging against his earthly fetters and then distilling his passions, in the last movement, into headlong lunges, dazzling whirls, and delicate pirouettes.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2020
Like the shrimp and grits, the fetter papa burger ($15) is appropriately decadent.
—Lindsey McClave, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2019
Verb
It’s become a common refrain by the government that the president’s executive power cannot be fettered by the courts.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Mar. 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
Ruskin felt insulted and legally fettered by the verdict.
—Adrian Dannatt, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023
Certain wandered between rows of mannequins fettered with leg irons, claustrophobic dungeon cells and a towering guillotine.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
After the beating, he was fettered in iron chains around his ankles, which would rub his skin raw.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Teddy Roosevelt broke up the trusts, regulated the food supply, created the National Park System, and fettered the railroads.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
Botany was also often fettered to expertise in gardening, another activity that fell within the realm of the feminine.
—Amandas Ong, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2018
In many developing countries, girls face two starkly divergent paths: one fettered by gender inequality and cut short by early childbearing and the other offering personal fulfillment and economic improvement that benefit families and nations.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetter
Noun
-
Some cities and retailers banned plastic straws, and a few states imposed restrictions.—
Hiroko Tabuchi,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Judges have recently blocked or suspended efforts by the Trump administration to ban transgender people from the military, abolish the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and to place restrictions on birthright citizenship.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Arches is designed for all-around off-roading, while the Cliffhanger is geared toward slow, technical obstacles.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
However, the obstacle avoidance technology included in the X10 Pro Omni has a 3D MatrixEye.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Rabbi Anne wears a keepsake from her grandfather — a metal thimble that dangles from a silver chain around her neck.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Bhattacharya explained further that the data platform would also link the data from real world sources such as pharmacy chains, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Indian Health Service and fitness trackers and smart watches.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Caffeine boosts energy by blocking a neurotransmitter, called adenosine, from binding to receptors in the brain.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The Ukrainian president is bound by politics, public opinion, and his country's law on Crimea.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The department in January ordered prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges any state or local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
-
In a January memo, the department instructed prosecutors to consider criminal charges against state and local authorities who obstruct or impede federal operations.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The constraints and challenges that stand in the way of developing these capabilities are real.—
ANDREW S. LIM,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Newcastle just don’t have the same depth quality-wise, which is largely down to the PSR (the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules) constraints of the past 18 months.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Vessel Project is built on the principles of mutual aid, ensuring that no one is left behind and that support reaches those in need without the bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder access.—
Jameelah Nasheed,
Essence,
1 May 2025
-
The Olympian and World Championship silver medalist is a superstar heptathlete who’s headed for the women’s long hurdles.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Verb
-
After a stunning Game 1 blowout followed by a defensive struggle out of the 1990s, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series will relocate to the Twin Cities, tied 1-1.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The platform, formerly known as Twitter Inc., posted $91 million in revenue tied to data licensing and subscriptions in February, a 30% increase from a year earlier, according to materials shared with investors related to a new debt sale.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fetter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetter. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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