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
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
Jacqueline Goldblatt,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2026
For the second time in a week, the same NFL player was placed in handcuffs.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
This is just one in a sweaty dungeon of hundreds of TikTok videos that show women being stalked, grabbed, tortured, tossed to the ground, and handcuffed by scary masked soldiers.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
In the demo, I was treated to a cutscene of my character breaking their handcuffs and swimming ashore to the town of Ashenridge.
—
Jacqueline Goldblatt,
PC Magazine,
13 June 2026
For the second time in a week, the same NFL player was placed in handcuffs.
—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
The decree requires law enforcement to meet specific goals before federal oversight is removed, including changes to the use of force policy, limiting military-style tactics during protests and banning handcuffing children under 14.
—
Riley Moser,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
This is just one in a sweaty dungeon of hundreds of TikTok videos that show women being stalked, grabbed, tortured, tossed to the ground, and handcuffed by scary masked soldiers.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
Each of those cases put the council in a bind.
-
But facing an already high rate of inflation, the Fed is in a bind, said Cutsinger of FAU.
Verb
-
Competing in his third World Cup, Kane had tied Lineker’s decades-old record last week with two goals in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia to open the 2026 tournament.
-
Bravo, the diaspora director at the foreign ministry, told CNN that the Peruvian government’s hands are tied.
Verb
-
The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
-
Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
Noun
-
Meanwhile, his younger brother opted for a more casual look, donning a white tank top, jeans, a leather belt, and a dangling chain, just a month after attending the Dior Cruise Show in Los Angeles on May 13.
-
Fatty acids are long chains of carbon surrounded by hydrogen atoms.
Verb
-
Brown was hampered by a back injury in college, but that wasn’t enough to scare away the Nets.
-
Investors are advised to avoid ASA, as its future performance appears hampered by both gold's current stagnation and management issues.
Verb
-
Officials said Friday that a group of 50 volunteers had joined the effort to look for Kinney along the banks of the lake, adding that on-and-off rain hindered the search, according to WSAZ.
-
Soaking cherry seeds helps remove the pulp, preventing rot that can hinder germination.
Noun
-
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.
-
That bond failed to make the November ballot earlier this week.
Verb
-
Johnson said that he was left shackled to a bed at HCMC for five days, with federal agents guarding him and preventing him from contacting his family.
-
Mangione, dressed in a navy suit, was shackled at the hands for the entirety of Wednesday's hearing.
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
