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
Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Drummond appeared in court wearing handcuffs.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Multiple deputies responded to the disturbance and handcuffed Adair.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
The judge ordered the sheriff’s office to follow necessary procedures to ensure Adelson cannot self-harm before she was led away in handcuffs after the guilty verdict Thursday night.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Drummond appeared in court wearing handcuffs.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
Moises called up footage showing the California senator Alex Padilla being thrown to the floor and handcuffed by federal agents during a government press conference about the military’s presence.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Multiple deputies responded to the disturbance and handcuffed Adair.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Schubkegel said her own decision to leave the workforce put her family in a financial bind.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
31 Aug. 2025
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The flag movement has put the government in an awkward bind.—
Olivia Kemp,
CNN Money,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Through two games, the Ragin’ Cajuns have held opponents to an average of 12 points per game — a mark that’s tied for the best in the Sun Belt.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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The other way to address Africa’s borrowing challenges, Loyiso Tyabashe, chief executive of the South Africa Nuclear Energy Corporation, told Semafor, is tied to execution.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari was issued a red card in the 38th minute for impeding Charlotte’s Wilfried Zaha in the box.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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The university has also cracked down on chalking on campus sidewalks, which critics say impedes the free speech rights of students.—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With masses equivalent to millions or even billions of suns, supermassive black holes are too massive to have been born from dying stars; instead, it is theorized that they are created when smaller black holes collide and merge, and a chain of progressively larger and larger mergers.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The investment group also includes the Cherng Family Trust, the family office of the co-founders of the Panda Express restaurant chain, according to Friday’s statement.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And the new administration may be further hampering those plans.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The share of businesses saying that lack of transparency was hindering operations fell by 12 percentage points to 16%.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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These challenges not only hinder women’s economic advancement but also limit businesses from reaching their full potential.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Mission Viejo shackled the Folsom running game, holding the Bulldogs to 24 rushing yards on 32 carries.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
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Cortlen Henry, shackled and in red jail attire, entered a no-contest plea to accessory after the fact and witness tampering charges before Broward Circuit Court Judge Martin Fein.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
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What People Are Saying Maritime analysts have weighed in on the nature reserve declaration, with some linking it to the August 11 collision that embarrassed Beijing.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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