HANDCUFF Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

handcuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

Definition of handcuff

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

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handcuff

2 of 2

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 handcuff

Noun

Video from the hallway shows Miller being held down and in handcuffs, repeatedly asking why he is being arrested. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Gaeta was escorted in handcuffs out of the courtroom after being given the maximum sentence allowed by law. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

The man laid face down for about 40 seconds before officers approached him, handcuffed him and then flipped him over to provide CPR. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026 The officer approached the car with his gun drawn and handcuffed the driver and his girlfriend, who owned the vehicle. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

The Hightower high lord and his armies have occupied Tumbleton and have Rhaenyra in something of a bind.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
States cannot file for bankruptcy, leaving the Prairie State in an unusually tight bind.

— Gregory Kearney, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

The next batter, Sogard, pulled a hanging breaking ball from Hentges off the Green Monster, driving in Monasterio and tying the game.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Right-hander Ben Joyce, who had not given up a run in any of his first six games, was a strike away from ending it when the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford blooped a 102 mph pitch into right field for a game-tying double.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

Kupor, head of the government’s chief human resources agency since July 2025, has publicly argued even jobs conducive to remote work can be impeded by working from home.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Carly Simon, whose recent Parkinson’s diagnosis didn’t impede her from releasing her first album in 18 years, Comes in Waves, has seemingly dedicated a song to her ex-husband, James Taylor.

— Devon Ivie, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

Likewise, when crime bosses become international liabilities that could hamper Beijing’s relations with other countries, or when their political patrons fall and there are fewer political costs to targeting them, Beijing will act.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

Moser's mother, Rachel Moser, was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, and related charges.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026