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
CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
Young was an innocent social worker who was handcuffed, naked, in her apartment during a wrongful CPD raid in 2019.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
One protester is put in handcuffs.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
The photo shows Maduro in a grey tracksuit, handcuffed and blindfolded.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Jan. 2026
Young was an innocent social worker who was handcuffed, naked, in her apartment during a wrongful CPD raid in 2019.
—Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
The best way to avoid this particular bind?—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Fans criticized the tour announcement on social media, noting the heavy New York concentration leaves most American concertgoers in a financial bind.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Xavier Booker tied a season-high with eight boards.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Companies operating in sectors tied to land, water, minerals, and security often sit directly on fault lines where rights claims and economic goals collide.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Justice Department has separately opened an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Supply chain disruptions continue to be a persistent risk that could impede production increases and impact margins.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The chain, of course, is known for its 24/7 operating capacity.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
-
All available buses will be outfitted with chains on their tires, but articulated ones will be removed from service for safety reasons.—
January 25,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although weather conditions in Charlotte improved Monday, the aftermath of the storm continued to hamper travel plans, resulting in an additional 700 cancellations and 465 delays.—
Chase Jordan
January 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
She was booked into the Cherokee County jail, charged with one felony count of shoplifting, and released later that day on a $4,875 bond, local outlet Cherokee Tribune said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Some analysts pointed to how government bonds have lost some of their traditional appeal as a safe haven amid swelling debt burdens, as seen in recent global bond selloff movements.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mangione, his feet shackled, wore a tan jail suit and sported a chinstrap beard at Friday's hearing, a departure from his usual clean-shaven look.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Busfield, who was shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit during the hearing, must keep the court appraised of his location, but is allowed to return home from where he was being held in New Mexico.—
David Matthews,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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