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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
-
Complete access to Netflix without restrictions is considered Open.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
-
Harvard, in its refusal to comport with new federal guidelines regarding DEI restrictions, has put $9 billion in federal funding at risk.—
Rep. Steve Weir,
Hartford Courant,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Players utilize a set of common rules -- that can be altered by the game master -- and dice to overcome obstacles as the group works to collaboratively tell a story.—
Remington Miller,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2025
-
Powered by Adelaide, Forbes AI Running a company means facing obstacles that shake your foundation.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Grads react as billionaire gives them $1,000: Watch video Yelp unveils its top 25 burger chains in the US: See the list Spotify reveals predictions for 30 top songs of summer 2025: See list Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
Del Taco restaurants continue to operate in Boise — including at 3205 S. Vista Ave., the store mentioned on the marquee — plus in Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell and Kuna, according to the chain’s website.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
This limited time deal is bound to go quickly, especially because that amazing sale price includes three bedding pieces—not just the quilt itself.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2025
-
However, manufacturers are bound to encounter some challenges when implementing these technologies, such as interoperability gaps, effective scalability, skills shortages and resistance to change.—
Anirban Bose,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
The Justice Department announced charges against McIver on May 19 for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement related to an altercation at a Newark immigration facility.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
The family attempted to lobby the state and local legislatures to ease up on regulations that impeded the fishing industry, and eventually the closure of their business. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The family eventually moved to Massachusetts.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
New Organization And Team Operating Model AI technology by itself will not yield value until there is an openness to take a fresh look at business processes and combine them with resource and tech dependency with no constraints.—
Balmukund Shukla,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
-
This limitation is a significant constraint on his potential serving speed.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The impact of the legislative hurdles is being felt at the construction site.—
Theo Burman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
Despite the logistical hurdles, the experience left a profound impact on the actor.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Without any restructures, that’s roughly 35 percent of the team’s salary cap tied to two players in the passing game.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
Which consumer loans could see higher rates Some loans could see more direct impacts because their rates are tied to bond prices.—
Annie Nova,Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fetter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetter. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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