1
as in binding
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in impeding
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fettering
Verb
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Initiative, dubbed a ‘Swiss Brexit,’ sought binding limits by 2050, forcing strict curbs on asylum, family reunification and work permits, potentially dismantling Switzerland’s deal on free movement of people and close EU ties.—
Jamey Keaten,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026 -
The binding constraint is no longer intelligence.—
Robert J. Szczerba,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Protests outside the gates have shown activists pummeling cars, impeding the exits and in some cases getting hurled out of the way after collisions with vehicles attempting to speed away from the violent activists.—
Eric Mack,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
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Over the years, the number of cars parking near the bridge — often illegally, sometimes impeding emergency vehicles — has risen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
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But as the old saw has it, a lie goes round the world while the truth is tying its bootlaces.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The second quarter started with a bang, with BC High tying it back up at three right off the faceoff.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Deep mistrust among some people in the town is hampering response efforts to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus — for which there is no vaccine.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 2026
Verb
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But the black, confining nunnery space reminds a bit of some medieval dungeon.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
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Cages were originally for holding birds or other animals, and then, by extension, for confining and punishing humans.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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This structural debt was hindering basic operations and the company’s ability to serve customers, especially as clients’ technology needs evolve.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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There are reports that China may have provided Iran with access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system, significantly improving the accuracy of Iran’s missiles and drones and hindering any effort to jam or spoof them.—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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When temperatures plunge, demand for gas surges at the same time that wells, pipelines, and processing equipment can freeze, constraining supply and driving prices higher.—
Julianna Larue,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
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Dealing with this issue commonly involves constraining model outputs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Articles of impeachment were brought against him on two counts, for allegedly abusing his power through his dealings with Zelenskyy and then allegedly obstructing the House’s investigation into the matter.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Ouellet faces charges of domestic violence, obstructing the report of a crime or injury and possession of a deadly weapon.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Fettering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fettering. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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