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
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
The Supreme Court, if municipal court people in New Jersey did what Supreme Court members do — are doing now, they would be led out in handcuffs.
—
NBC news,
21 June 2026
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The officer radioed for backup and more police came, surrounded the man, grabbed his arms, and handcuffed him, according to police testimony.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Another vintage bit, which MTV also declined to air, involves Knoxville, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit and shackled in handcuffs, entering a hardware store and asking for a hacksaw.
—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2026
The Supreme Court, if municipal court people in New Jersey did what Supreme Court members do — are doing now, they would be led out in handcuffs.
—
NBC news,
21 June 2026
Verb
Carrico ordered her out of the vehicle, handcuffed her behind her back, and transported her to the Buckeye Police Department booking facility.
—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
The officer radioed for backup and more police came, surrounded the man, grabbed his arms, and handcuffed him, according to police testimony.
—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Perhaps the most significant bind Albania’s government finds itself in over the project is the country’s relationship with the European Union.
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Bats in a bind before births Before giving the bats the boot last year, the city didn’t build an alternative roosting habitat, which would have been challenging given the substantial size of the colony.
Verb
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Acuff hit one of two free throws to tie the game with 38 seconds remaining.
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Gomez's glam team tied the look together with a sleek bun, pink lipstick, and smoky eye makeup.
Verb
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Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.
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These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
Noun
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His cuffs and chains were removed and a few minutes later he was pronounced dead, according to the family.
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The federal government is suing 99 Ranch Market, alleging the nation’s largest Asian supermarket chain is discriminating against employees who are not Chinese.
Verb
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The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.
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Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
Verb
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He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
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The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.
Noun
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As of Monday, Blue was no longer employed at the McDonald’s, and is being held at the Broward County Jail without bond, per NBC Miami.
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That bond failed to make the November ballot earlier this week.
Verb
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Zico played some good passes, but he was also shackled well by Italy’s legendary man-marker Claudio Gentile.
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In 2019, David and Louise Turpin pleaded guilty to torture and years of abuse that included shackling some of their 13 children at their home in California, starving them and providing only a minimal education.
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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