Synonyms of fettered

fettered 1 of 2

adjective

as in bound

Related Words

• bound
• captive
• enslaved
• subjugated
• subdued
• conquered
• subject
• unfree
• dependent
• subordinate
• nonautonomous
• subservient
• non-self-governing
• inferior

Dissimilar Words

• independent
• free
• sovereign
• separate
• autonomous
• freestanding
• freeborn
• liberated
• freed
• self-governing
• released
• self-governed
• redeemed
• emancipated
• self-ruling
• manumitted
• delivered

fettered

2 of 2

verb

past tense of fetter

1

as in tied

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

• bound
• tied
• enchained
• hampered
• chained
• shackled
• constrained
• pinioned
• confined
• handcuffed
• manacled
• lashed
• trammeled
• attached
• gyved
• trussed
• fastened
• linked
• enfettered
• restricted
• hobbled
• secured
• hindered
• ironed
• impeded
• limited
• hog-tied
• curbed
• bitted
• tangled
• joined
• entangled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unbound
• liberated
• freed
• rescued
• released
• unshackled
• loosed
• emancipated
• unfettered
• untied
• unfastened
• detached
• undid
• disengaged
• untangled

2

as in hampered

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hampered
• impeded
• hindered
• embarrassed
• obstructed
• handicapped
• shackled
• manacled
• encumbered
• constrained
• inhibited
• handcuffed
• cramped
• blocked
• trammeled
• hobbled
• stymied
• restrained
• delayed
• tied up
• short-circuited
• hog-tied
• interfered (with)
• clogged
• bound
• tied
• disrupted
• held back
• frustrated
• chained
• tethered
• reined
• thwarted
• curbed
• stifled
• cramped one's style
• leashed
• gave a hard time
• confined
• strangled
• retained
• balked
• held up
• checked
• retarded
• choked
• arrested
• barricaded
• mired
• braked
• blockaded
• baffled
• muzzled
• suffocated
• bogged (down)
• smothered
• haltered
• repressed
• roadblocked
• foiled
• sabotaged
• derailed
• stumped
• suppressed
• hemmed (in)
• hedged (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aided
• assisted
• helped
• facilitated
• opened
• freed
• liberated
• cleared
• released
• untied
• loosened
• smoothed
• encouraged
• unplugged
• unstopped
• promoted
• made way
• unclogged
• furthered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fettered

Verb

Perhaps capitalism can be appropriately fettered within the confines of a select few cities, inspiring a nonviolent, nationwide socialist revolution. — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

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