Synonyms of handcuff

handcuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 

as in bind

usually handcuffs plural something that physically prevents free movement

the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• chain
• bond
• irons
• shackle
• curb
• band
• bracelet
• tie
• cuff(s)
• holding
• fetter
• trap
• ligature
• net
• collar
• restraint
• manacle(s)
• hold
• captivity
• hindrance
• restriction
• imprisonment
• straitjacket
• confinement
• incarceration
• constraint
• enslavement
• entanglement
• fastener
• trammel
• enchainment
• hobble
• immurement
• hold-down

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• tie
• hamper
• shackle
• confine
• constrain
• fetter
• chain
• enchain
• lash
• attach
• manacle
• trammel
• pinion
• gyve
• enfetter
• secure
• hobble
• hog-tie
• fasten
• restrict
• link
• hinder
• impede
• iron
• limit
• bit
• curb
• truss
• join
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescue
• liberate
• release
• loose
• free
• unshackle
• emancipate
• unbind
• untie
• undo
• unfetter
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

2

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hamper
• hinder
• embarrass
• obstruct
• handicap
• shackle
• inhibit
• restrain
• hog-tie
• hobble
• stymie
• interfere (with)
• fetter
• cramp
• block
• encumber
• delay
• disrupt
• tie up
• constrain
• clog
• hold back
• manacle
• tie
• trammel
• short-circuit
• thwart
• bind
• frustrate
• curb
• stifle
• rein
• brake
• leash
• arrest
• strangle
• cramp one's style
• hold up
• give a hard time
• tether
• check
• balk
• barricade
• retain
• chain
• choke
• retard
• confine
• bog (down)
• blockade
• foil
• derail
• baffle
• sabotage
• roadblock
• halter
• smother
• suffocate
• muzzle
• repress
• stump
• hem (in)
• mire
• hedge (in)
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• release
• free
• loosen
• untie
• unplug
• encourage
• promote
• unclog
• unstop
• smooth
• further

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handcuff

Noun

President of baseball operations Peter Bendix is doing a great job for a man in handcuffs. — Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

The trooper ordered Lugo out of the BMW before placing him in handcuffs. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Verb

Gilman had been moved from a prison to a civilian hospital, where he was hooked up to a feeding tube and handcuffed to a bed. — CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Ricardo Montes, father of seven and grandfather of 11, was handcuffed by plainclothes law enforcement officers at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026