Synonyms of handcuff

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• chain
• bond
• irons
• shackle
• curb
• band
• bracelet
• tie
• cuff(s)
• holding
• fetter
• trap
• ligature
• net
• collar
• restraint
• manacle(s)
• hold
• captivity
• hindrance
• restriction
• imprisonment
• straitjacket
• confinement
• incarceration
• constraint
• enslavement
• entanglement
• fastener
• trammel
• enchainment
• hobble
• immurement
• hold-down

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

• bind
• tie
• hamper
• shackle
• confine
• constrain
• fetter
• chain
• enchain
• lash
• attach
• manacle
• trammel
• pinion
• gyve
• enfetter
• secure
• hobble
• hog-tie
• fasten
• restrict
• link
• hinder
• impede
• iron
• limit
• bit
• curb
• truss
• join
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescue
• liberate
• release
• loose
• free
• unshackle
• emancipate
• unbind
• untie
• undo
• unfetter
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

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

• impede
• hamper
• hinder
• embarrass
• obstruct
• handicap
• shackle
• inhibit
• restrain
• hog-tie
• hobble
• stymie
• interfere (with)
• fetter
• cramp
• block
• encumber
• delay
• disrupt
• tie up
• constrain
• clog
• hold back
• manacle
• tie
• trammel
• short-circuit
• thwart
• bind
• frustrate
• curb
• stifle
• rein
• brake
• leash
• arrest
• strangle
• cramp one's style
• hold up
• give a hard time
• tether
• check
• balk
• barricade
• retain
• chain
• choke
• retard
• confine
• bog (down)
• blockade
• foil
• derail
• baffle
• sabotage
• roadblock
• halter
• smother
• suffocate
• muzzle
• repress
• stump
• hem (in)
• mire
• hedge (in)
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• release
• free
• loosen
• untie
• unplug
• encourage
• promote
• unclog
• unstop
• smooth
• further

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handcuff

Noun

Video from the hallway shows Miller being held down and in handcuffs, repeatedly asking why he is being arrested. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026

Gaeta was escorted in handcuffs out of the courtroom after being given the maximum sentence allowed by law. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

The man laid face down for about 40 seconds before officers approached him, handcuffed him and then flipped him over to provide CPR. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

The officer approached the car with his gun drawn and handcuffed the driver and his girlfriend, who owned the vehicle. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026