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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fetters
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
-
Regional restrictions may apply.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Details are still emerging over exactly what the new flight restrictions will mean for airline travelers.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Sununu ultimately prevailed in his 2002 Senate campaign, but not without criticism and obstacles from the pro-Israel lobby due to his voting record, which some Jewish organizations and leaders perceived as anti-Israel.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
-
With fewer obstacles in the air than on the road, autonomous flight might actually prove safer than driving.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Carpenter asked, as Fogelmanis smiled and held up his hands to receive the pink handcuffs.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Their return capped a week of intense negotiations by Seoul to win their release and bring them home after they were taken into custody in handcuffs and shackles.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Philanthropy can be the glue that binds generations.—
William Jarvis,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
-
However, there's also another tie that binds the sparkling statements Meghan and Eugenie made, as both of their only tiara wears to date.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Inertia hinders many consumers from seeking out higher rates.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
But biologists know relatively little about how these aggressive cells function, which hinders knowledge of cancer progression and resistance.—
Perri Thaler,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Rarely in American history have US presidents supported constraints on American sovereignty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The administration cited legal advice and operational constraints in determining that only 50 percent of the usual monthly benefits could be distributed to eligible households.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
One of the largest hurdles was ensuring that behavior learned on Earth would translate to space, an issue often called the Sim2Real gap.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Yet many Venezuelans are facing significant hurdles when seeking asylum in the United States and elsewhere.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Officials said the fire broke out at a Waldo’s store, a popular discount chains in Mexico.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Two additional deaths have been reported in a listeria outbreak linked to recalled ready-to-eat pasta salads and prepared meals sold at major grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Kroger, and Walmart, health officials said Thursday.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share