Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

handcuff

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of handcuff

usually handcuffs plural something that physically prevents free movement
  • the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Synonyms of handcuff

band, bind, bond, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackle
Words Related to handcuff

captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction

entanglement, net, trammel, trap

collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket)

fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

handcuff

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of handcuff

1 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 of handcuff

bind, chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel
Words Related to handcuff

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss

attach, fasten, join, link

confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede

limit, restrict

entangle, tangle
Near Antonyms of handcuff

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue

undo, unfasten, untangle, untie

detach, disengage
Antonyms of handcuff

unbind, unfetter, unshackle
2 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 of handcuff

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel
Words Related to handcuff

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain

bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie

arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard

barricade, block, blockade, roadblock

bog (down), mire

choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate

baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart

derail, disrupt, sabotage

muzzle, repress, suppress

confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
Phrases Synonymous with handcuff

cramp oneʼs style, give a hard time
Near Antonyms of handcuff

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop

free, liberate, release, untie

loosen, smooth

encourage, further, promote
Antonyms of handcuff

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Learn More about handcuff

  1. See words that rhyme with handcuff Dictionary: Definition of handcuff Spanish Central: Translation of handcuff Nglish: Translation of handcuff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of handcuff for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up handcuff? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

bower

Listen to the pronounciation of bower

a shady place in a garden or forest

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. exonerate Barr summarizes Mueller report

  2. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

  3. mendacious, mendacity George Conway calls Trump a liar

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games