HANDCUFF Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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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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

In the demo, I was treated to a cutscene of my character breaking their handcuffs and swimming ashore to the town of Ashenridge. —

Jacqueline Goldblatt, PC Magazine, 13 June 2026 For the second time in a week, the same NFL player was placed in handcuffs. —

Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026

Verb

After Griffin arrived at the hospital to meet Parker, he was handcuffed and questioned by authorities. —

Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026 Police have not named the suspect, who appeared in other videos walking handcuffed down the street with Maple and Clutch, mascot heads back in place. —

Matt Moret, New York Times, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

Each of those cases put the council in a bind.

— Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
But facing an already high rate of inflation, the Fed is in a bind, said Cutsinger of FAU.

— Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026