1
as in restrictions
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 obstacles
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 handcuffs
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 binds
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 hinders
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 fetters
Jeremy Mennis, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.
—Jeremy Mennis, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetters
Noun
-
The rankings were made based on several factors, from laws related to bathroom access to restrictions on drag performances to state leadership scores and shield laws.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
While Chicago has long regulated street vending through permits and restrictions, vendors and advocates say the recent enforcement appears more coordinated and punitive than in the past.—
Laura Rodríguez Presa,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
That disconnect is beginning to create what could become the new trust economy—one in which governance, authentication, transparency and accountability become strategic advantages for the companies in this space, rather than just operational or compliance obstacles.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
His fragile starman is a strange, complex being navigating his way through Earth’s obstacles, including love, lust, addiction, greed, and ambition in his plight to save his planet and survive the chaos caused by his arrival.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
After court officers led Santos out of the courtroom in handcuffs, the Chinatown activist, Karlin Chan, said the sentencing gives the community closure.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Chopper 4 captured the moment deputies and troopers chased the man and put him in handcuffs.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The other piece in this story is the man who binds Episodes 6 and 7 together –– despite them being separated by 300 years.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
27 May 2026
-
To retain the remaining six members, the Mountain West offered a distribution plan for the incoming exit and poaching fees in exchange for signing a grant of rights that binds them to the conference for six years.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Current dependence on rare earth elements or precious metals often hinders the widespread adoption of electrolysis systems.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
22 May 2026
-
Making every decision for your teenager hinders their ability to build independence.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
That comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CBS News that Ukraine is only getting about 60 to 65 interceptor missiles each month, given production constraints.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Certain parts are engineered to be systematically replaced during routine maintenance, which lowers initial manufacturing constraints and reduces long-term operational overhead.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Overcoming cost barriers with advanced architecture Traditional nuclear energy projects frequently face economic hurdles due to the extensive lead times and high capital requirements of manufacturing heavy components.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
California has the third-most data centers in the country, with 300, but high electricity rates, expensive land and regulatory hurdles mean that fewer, and smaller, facilities are currently planned than in other hotspots.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
In an attempt to stabilize their attendance base, chains like Six Flags have started to offer all-parks passes to give visitors access to all 42 of their parks and cut into some of the destination market.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
1 June 2026
-
The study also factors in varying fees paid by different types of retailers, with major chains often able to negotiate lower fees with the credit card companies.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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