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
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
At that point, he was thrown on the bottom bunk bed while still wearing handcuffs, the affidavit said.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
After the commotion, Geri was eventually handcuffed and detained by officers, who searched him and discovered additional incendiary devices, court records said.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Trouble with the law Bishnoi’s first time in handcuffs came when he was arrested for an alleged assault in 2010.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
At that point, he was thrown on the bottom bunk bed while still wearing handcuffs, the affidavit said.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Rojas was pulled over at gunpoint, handcuffed.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
After the commotion, Geri was eventually handcuffed and detained by officers, who searched him and discovered additional incendiary devices, court records said.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
The organization was in a bureaucratic bind, and had to find a way to hold what should have been the second major of 2020 or risk financial peril.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The corporation is in something of a bind, with its decision almost certain to generate criticism either way.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kreider’s second goal of the game, with 51 seconds left, tied the game, and his two goals were his first since signing with Anaheim after playing 13 seasons with the New York Rangers.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Bryton and Jahaira tied the knot in March, and their date of separation is listed as June, three months after the ceremony.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trump characterized the cities as in crisis and accused leaders of impeding immigration operations.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Alas, the roster should not impede them from pulling off this feat.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Publix spokeswoman Lindsey Willis sent the Miami Herald a statement about the supermarket chain’s decision.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The actual music files live permanently on the Arweave blockchain, while all payments are handled on the Solana chain, famously the hub of the current meme coin frenzy.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
-
With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, Powell said that would be a mistake and would hinder the Fed's ability to carry out policy.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Many complications hinder the process, including Israeli opposition to a Palestinian state, expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, the ongoing Gaza conflict, and an aging and corrupt Palestinian leadership, which the US and other Arab nations say requires reform.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Donna appeared in the Tallahassee courtroom on Monday, shackled in a purple jumpsuit.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Koreans, angered by images of their countrymen shackled by ICE, may choose to play hardball and continue withholding their investments.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The games themselves are embarrassing enough to watch.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
One agent was disciplined for insubordination after refusing to go along with the plan to embarrass Comey in this way.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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