Synonyms of handcuff

handcuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 

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

• bind
• chain
• bond
• irons
• shackle
• curb
• band
• bracelet
• tie
• cuff(s)
• holding
• fetter
• trap
• ligature
• net
• collar
• restraint
• manacle(s)
• hold
• captivity
• hindrance
• restriction
• imprisonment
• straitjacket
• confinement
• incarceration
• constraint
• enslavement
• entanglement
• fastener
• trammel
• enchainment
• hobble
• immurement
• hold-down

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

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

• bind
• tie
• hamper
• shackle
• confine
• constrain
• fetter
• chain
• enchain
• lash
• attach
• manacle
• trammel
• pinion
• gyve
• enfetter
• secure
• hobble
• hog-tie
• fasten
• restrict
• link
• hinder
• impede
• iron
• limit
• bit
• curb
• truss
• join
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescue
• liberate
• release
• loose
• free
• unshackle
• emancipate
• unbind
• untie
• undo
• unfetter
• unfasten
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

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

• impede
• hamper
• hinder
• embarrass
• obstruct
• handicap
• shackle
• inhibit
• restrain
• hog-tie
• hobble
• stymie
• interfere (with)
• fetter
• cramp
• block
• encumber
• delay
• disrupt
• tie up
• constrain
• clog
• hold back
• manacle
• tie
• trammel
• short-circuit
• thwart
• bind
• frustrate
• curb
• stifle
• rein
• brake
• leash
• arrest
• strangle
• cramp one's style
• hold up
• give a hard time
• tether
• check
• balk
• barricade
• retain
• chain
• choke
• retard
• confine
• bog (down)
• blockade
• foil
• derail
• baffle
• sabotage
• roadblock
• halter
• smother
• suffocate
• muzzle
• repress
• stump
• hem (in)
• mire
• hedge (in)
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• facilitate
• aid
• open
• liberate
• clear
• make way
• release
• free
• loosen
• untie
• unplug
• encourage
• promote
• unclog
• unstop
• smooth
• further

Example Sentences

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

Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

The state government already handcuffs local municipalities with preemption laws. — Oliver Adams Larkin, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026