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
Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
The Dallas Police Department has released body-camera footage and in-car video that shows a suspect escape from his handcuffs and drive off in a cop car as an officer in the back seat tries to stop him.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
In fact, sheriff's deputies handcuffed a Black man accused of assaulting another Black man.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Videos taken at the event appear to show officers pinning youth down, with one young person placed in handcuffs and young people milling around the carnival area of the annual festival.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026
The Dallas Police Department has released body-camera footage and in-car video that shows a suspect escape from his handcuffs and drive off in a cop car as an officer in the back seat tries to stop him.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
Verb
In a screen grab from his brief appearance on Wednesday, Abu Safiya, 53, was shown handcuffed and sitting in white prison garb.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
In fact, sheriff's deputies handcuffed a Black man accused of assaulting another Black man.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
The polyphenols and tannins in coffee bind to iron in the digestive tract and block it from being absorbed.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Boston Bruins The Bruins are stuck in somewhat of a bind.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rays entered the series after a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox but have lost consecutive games to the Angels, who were tied for the worst record in the American League at the start of play Saturday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Ukraine is rapidly producing cheap drones that impede Russia’s advances.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
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Another worker who protested the raid was sentenced to 22 months in prison for using a rock to assault and impede a federal officer.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
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But many were reopened after Pappas Restaurants acquired the chain.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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According to the company’s website, the business sells precious and semi-precious crystal pendants, carvings and chains.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Congolese health authorities have previously said contact tracing has been hampered by community resistance in some areas and by the rapid expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the workload for surveillance teams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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As President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys soldiers and orders probes into police corruption, widespread allegations of collusion with syndicates deepen residents’ mistrust and hinder investigations into such brazen attacks.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
More than four years since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has remained largely static as swarms of drones hinder advances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
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But its enduring appeal was in the bonds between the characters, Docter said.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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When demand falls, bond yields rise.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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In northern Oregon, just before dawn in October 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested and shackled two farmworkers on their way to work.—
Carol Rose Little,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
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Joaquin Escoto, 28, entered Stanislaus County Superior Court shackled at the wrists and ankles, wearing an orange-and-white jail uniform and sitting beside his attorney and a Spanish interpreter.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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