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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Noun

But a DeKalb County officer recently had his firearm in one hand and handcuffs in the other while trying to arrest a teenager who was on the ground with his hands behind his back. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 12 July 2026 The 18-year-old was sent to Adelanto ICE Detention Center in handcuffs, nearly 100 miles away from his worried family members. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Verb

Las Vegas police confirmed that the two people in the video trying to handcuff the man were ICE agents. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 17 July 2026 Instead, there’s a growing concern MLS has handcuffed itself by hiding behind the Apple TV paywall. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

States cannot file for bankruptcy, leaving the Prairie State in an unusually tight bind.

— Gregory Kearney, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Perhaps the most significant bind Albania’s government finds itself in over the project is the country’s relationship with the European Union.

— Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

The 4-point play gave Mitchell her fourth 30-point game of the season, tied for the most in a single season in franchise history, and extended her franchise record to 15 30-point outings.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Odysseus insisted on hearing their song and was tied to the mast.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

Movie special effects studios are among the groups opposing the legislation over concerns that overly broad restrictions would impede their work.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
The farmers said the smoke impedes their hay operation, as the haze blocks the sunlight necessary to dry the hay out.

— The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

Purchases allegedly made by Burke under aliases also included cadaver bags, heavy-duty laundry bags, chain saws, a shovel and a fireproof mat, Byers testified.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
The Kansas City-area chain had operated for 33 years before announcing its closure.

— Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

Even workers who are still employed face double economic pressure as basic wages increasingly fail to meet rising living costs and reduced overtime, driven by falling orders, has hampered their ability to supplement income.

— Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Will the compelling match between Spain and Argentina be hampered by the smoke?

— Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

Lars Moravy, vice president of vehicle engineering, said Tesla has a good relationship with NHTSA and does not expect to be hindered by federal regulations.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
But while these challenges may be genuine, the slapdash execution of tariffs have only hindered American businesses.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 22 July 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

Under the financing plan, the jail authority will issue bonds periodically, and the county will use revenue from its general fund to pay the principal and interest on the debt through the authority.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
The shift boosts the catalyst’s efficiency to activate hydrogen and selectively cleave the internal carbon bonds of the plastic.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026

Definition of bond

Verb

The judge denied a request to unshackle him completely, saying that the handcuffs would be removed while Burke was at the table but that his legs would remain shackled under it.

— Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026
Burke, shackled to a chair, reportedly showed no visible reaction.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of shackle

Cite this Entry

Style

“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of handcuff

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on handcuff

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes