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

Of course, some artists viewed that as a hindrance down the line, like being caught up in corporate handcuffs. — Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026 After the dust cleared, the Patriots fan was in handcuffs and eyewitnesses were alleging that this was all over the Pats fan trying to sit in the wrong seat. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Verb

Thomas Maulson, 45, alleges Sheriff's Deputy Will Taege tripped him while handcuffed in a Walmart parking lot in Rhinelander on March 30, 2024, following a road rage incident Maulson was involved in. — Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Later in the video, the man is seen handcuffed while officers cut his shirt, exposing a gunshot wound on his back. — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 21 Sep. 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

Nearly all members of Florida’s Legislature voted to put the amendment on the ballot, though some Democrats expressed concern about tying the state’s hands by restricting the chunk of money.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
That man stayed ready throughout, and was always in his suit and tie and took it very seriously—but also kept some levity in the back of it.

— Samantha Bergeson, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

Throughout Europe, there are rising industry pressures, which include inflation, shipping costs and energy prices, which are impeding growth.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

Like at his Moxie’s restaurant in Southlake, the menu appeals to local diners who want something a notch better than chains.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
The store that matches its habits to its real customers beats the one copying whatever the chains are doing this quarter.

— Elie Y. Katz, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

However, India’s economic ties to Russia have continued to hamper a deal.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
A number of promising cell therapies are in development to treat and potentially even reverse the condition, but progress in the field has been hampered in recent years by a backlog of cell and gene therapies at the FDA.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

Arrivals at the show were hindered by a combination of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of front-row guests like Monica Bellucci and Italian singer Jovanotti, and an anti-fur protest.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Sandra Mayson, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania who has researched the effects of pretrial detention, agreed that the move could hinder detainees’ ability to prepare their defense.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

His bond with Nathan was premised on its insularity, then Gael arrived like Yoko and threw everything out of whack.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
Currently, the interplay of elevated interest rates and high oil prices is intensifying risk aversion across global markets, suggesting capital outflow pressure on emerging market bonds could persist for some time.

— , CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of bond

Verb

The whistleblower claims also allege that officers were told to shackle people around the clock at one point to address a lack of staffing.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Nick Reiner appeared at the hearing in a brown jail uniform and was shackled to his chair.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026