handcuff 1 of 2

noun

Definition of handcuffnext
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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hamper
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

Thesaurus Entries Near handcuff

handcraftsmen

handcuff

handcuffed

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 8 Feb. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on handcuff

Nglish: Translation of handcuff for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of handcuff for Arabic Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of despot

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Great British Vocabulary Quiz

  • union jack speech bubble
  • Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games