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

There’s nothing to commemorate the day federal agents chased Leodegario Martínez Barradas into the parking lot of a car dealership, placed him in handcuffs and led him away. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 The suspect was successfully placed in handcuffs without any physical injury to the officers. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Verb

Plum, recovering from surgery to remove a bullet from his chest, nearly kills himself again by trying to drag himself from the hospital bed to which he is handcuffed to a phone across the room. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026 DeFabo Joe Sargent / Getty Images Stefanski started his career handcuffed with a third-string quarterback, but starting the season with nine penalties is not a great look for any team or coach. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The Hightower high lord and his armies have occupied Tumbleton and have Rhaenyra in something of a bind.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

Alonso tied the score in the ninth inning Tuesday with his 300th career homer and took a rare curtain call on the road to acknowledge adoring Mets fans still unhappy about his departure for Baltimore last December.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
His conviction at trial was based almost entirely on the victim’s ID; there was no forensic or other evidence tying him to the crime.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

But what if the longer wavelengths of the embers could both extend the hours of socializing without heavily impeding our sleep cycle?

— Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
In June, a top story was the arrest of fifteen Minnesotans who were charged with federal crimes, including conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers in connection with a March 1st protest outside of ICE’s Minnesota headquarters.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

This local chain is one of the most reliably affordable meals in the LA area that also happens to be consistently delicious.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
As a ubiquitous fixture across the country, the chain provides a familiar, predictable environment that makes millions of members feel instantly at home.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
After injuries hampered his senior season, Bass-Moore encouraged her son to finish his final year of high school and not enroll early at Notre Dame.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The researchers said as warming winters bring more precipitation as rain and less as snow, that could hinder efforts to replenish groundwater.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
However, in a person with PCD, those threadlike structures can beat abnormally, hindering airway clearance and contributing to recurrent respiratory infections.

— Molly Finlay, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

Potential questions touch on a host of issues, including Russia, Iran, and Venezuela as well as tariffs, bonds, and crypto.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Tech stocks slid worldwide Monday after another jump in oil prices briefly pushed the 10-year Treasury yield to 5%, marking the bond market’s latest pressure-raising milestone.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of bond

Verb

Nick Reiner appeared at the hearing in a brown jail uniform and was shackled to his chair.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026
Today, Barisone claims to have no memory of the time between being in his office up the hill and waking, the next day, with one arm shackled to a hospital bed.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026