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
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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
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
-
China chip sector faces more disruption Washington’s various restrictions over the past few years have actually helped boost China’s domestic semiconductor industry, analysts told CNBC, with several companies reporting record revenues last year.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The matching restrictions do limit the ability of companies to claim to use carbon-free electricity 24/7 by using intermittent wind and solar power.—
Arik Levinson,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Whereas waterfalls present fish obstacles in rising above their circumstances, five orders and eight families, from South America, Asia, and Australia, have overcome the impossible.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, the physicists don’t see any insurmountable obstacles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Body-camera footage shows him being placed in handcuffs, while agents searched his FedEx truck for some sign of Athena.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Woods participated in four exercises before a deputy placed him in handcuffs.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In The Long Game, Shane and Ilya are forced to confront their fears and insecurities — wrestling with codependency, depression, and self-perception — while trying to maintain the love that binds them.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The recluse toxin binds to the surface of cells and scoots along it like a lawn mower, clipping the heads off molecules on this surface.—
Matthew Cordes,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Exercise also reduces chronic inflammation in the brain, which hinders its ability to repair itself, Oye-Somefun said.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In the northeastern state of Alagoas, some prisoners were handed a Kindle with 300 literary works on them, whereas other, more conservative states have heavy bureaucracy which hinders access, Dias said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Even so, supply constraints are unlikely to resolve quickly.—
Jessica Lautz,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Jet fuel prices have doubled over the past month as crude supply problems have translated into supply constraints.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Each tax and bond issue tracked by The Star was passed by voters, as well as a property tax cap in Platte County, which still faces legal hurdles.—
Chandler Boese,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Realistically, there is no end of hurdles — legal, political, practical — that would have to be surmounted for a partial Texas-New Mexico merger to occur.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here are a handful of restaurants, some of which are at least regional chains, in the area.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Iran has formed human chains in the past around its nuclear sites at times of heightened tensions with the West.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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