HANDCUFF Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

handcuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

Definition of handcuff

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

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handcuff

2 of 2

verb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of handcuff

Noun

Federal authorities said he was arrested on Tuesday and distributed a photo of the man in handcuffs. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 Harfuch posted several images of Molina being apprehended by National Guard members and being escorted in handcuffs. — Stephen Smith, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Verb

In a Russian state TV video report, three masked men in black uniforms handcuffed a man lying on the ground as a voice off camera said he was suspected of spying. — CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 The incident ended when two other officers arrived to restore order, at which point Lopez was handcuffed, Kremer previously told The Times. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

More recently, in 2023, Belarusian embassies abroad stopped extending or renewing passports entirely, putting dissidents who fled the country in a similar bind to those from Myanmar.

— Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

In this economy, the value of luxury assets like art, watches and fine jewelry is tied to their ability to signal that their owners can afford what others cannot.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is running a Creator Pitch Challenge tied to its 40th anniversary, while Bloomr.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

But a judge has now paused construction across the region, giving a major boost to landowners who have sought to impede the wall by refusing to cooperate with government surveyors, protesting at county meetings and gearing up for court battles.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
The insects tunnel their way into the trunk, impeding the tree’s water and nutrient supply and killing it within a year.

— Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

The contract covers engineering, technical assistance, technology integration, supply-chain development, workforce training and digital transformation initiatives.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
About 700 French supermarkets were affected, with one chain reporting losses of tens of millions of euros in a day; Dutch stores also faced a separate cybersecurity incident disrupting deliveries.

— John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

Another option via the Danube river has been hampered by low water levels; and a key bridge out of Ukraine has been damaged.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Aside from demanding that fans in the Pacific time zone set their alarms for an ungodly early start to their Sunday viewing slate, the International Series games have been hampered by NFL Network’s status as a basic-cable channel.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

And warming temperatures are hindering their ability to perform essential functions.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, 56-year-old Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to court records.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

According to bond counsel, the amendment excludes the city's older 2018 and 2021 bonds from certain utility rate covenant and parity debt calculations.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Voters approved $250 million in bonds in 2018 to help build and repair affordable housing, followed by another $350 million in 2022.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026