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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handcuff
Erwin Chemerinsky, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
The letter went on to say that the Justice Department could have issued a summons for Dugan to appear before a court, as opposed to FBI Director Kash Patel announcing the judge's arrest on X, formerly Twitter, along with a photo showing her being led away in handcuffs.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
Once the verdict was read in court, Ferguson was seen hugging his son before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
The sight of federal officials putting a judge in handcuffs is undeniably chilling.
—Erwin Chemerinsky, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
The letter went on to say that the Justice Department could have issued a summons for Dugan to appear before a court, as opposed to FBI Director Kash Patel announcing the judge's arrest on X, formerly Twitter, along with a photo showing her being led away in handcuffs.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
Verb
The helmer said he was handcuffed, blindfolded and tossed into an army jeep, and spent hours like that at an army base.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025
Once the verdict was read in court, Ferguson was seen hugging his son before he was handcuffed and taken into custody.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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The threat of Russia to the east and the turning tide of relations with Trump’s America to the west has put the EU in a bind and in need of strong leadership.—
Mark I. Vail,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
-
The shaky quarterback recruiting in the classes after McCarthy explains how Michigan ended up in a bind last season.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Soon after the tournament ended, in which Scheffler finished tied for 8th place, the city announced that there were errors in the police department's handling of the case, and charges were ultimately dropped.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
19 May 2025
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Without any restructures, that’s roughly 35 percent of the team’s salary cap tied to two players in the passing game.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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On April 16, the Department of Homeland Security threatened to impede Harvard’s ability to enroll students from abroad – an unprecedented move that would devastate the campus if the White House moved forward with it.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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In Wednesday’s ruling, Gonzalez Rogers said Apple is immediately barred from impeding developers’ ability to communicate with users, and the company must not levy its new commission on off-app purchases.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Baskin-Robbins: The ice cream shop chain has two special Mother's Day cakes – The Perfect Peony Cake and the Strawberries ‘n Cream Cake.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
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The doughnut chain had originally planned to sell its sweet treats at all of McD’s 13,000 restaurants.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 May 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 May 2025
Verb
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This discrepancy hindered the adoption of BI, which might further damage AI by generating models that are trained with false assumptions and generate erroneous predictions.—
Artyom Keydunov,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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Starring Frank Dillane, the film — which was already generating buzz before Cannes — follows a troubled but charming young man on the streets of London whose efforts to get his life in order are hindered by his own self-destructive tendencies.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 May 2025
Verb
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In the United States, we are sometimes shackled to election cycles and the short-sightedness of politicians who care first and foremost about being re-elected.—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
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Cannabis, however, is still shackled by federal prohibition.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, resigned last year amid fallout from a fake $237 million donation scandal that embarrassed the school on the national stage.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
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What’s made the 18th so fun this week is its ability — even for just a second — to embarrass the best golfers on the planet.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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