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

Ouellette, who did not appear to have much of a reaction, was led away in handcuffs shortly after the verdict when Judge Chris Pelosi raised his bond to $200,000 — which can only be posted at the courthouse. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026 The man in handcuffs, shortly after being detained, became unresponsive, according to the Sheriff’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Verb

The video garnered plenty of attention on social media as some who watched on television believed Jacobs was simulating getting handcuffed. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 According to Bryant, officers handcuffed the men, questioned them separately and placed him in a police vehicle before releasing him with the citation. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

Previously, Justice Department attorneys have argued that seizing ships puts the government in a financial bind, so selling the vessels is necessary to avoid tens of millions of dollars in maintenance and repair costs.

— Tom Winter, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026
Health care has put Americans and America in a massive financial bind, and no one is coming to bail us out.

— Paul Markovich, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

The Tampa businessman, during his testimony, tied Sanon to the plot after testifying about their exchanges before and after the assassination.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
California surfing legend Kurt Van Dyke’s murder, initially reported as a home invasion in which his girlfriend had been zip-tied, sent shock waves through the surf community earlier this year.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

The restrictions prohibit parking on streets in very high fire-hazard severity zones and require residents to keep roadways clear of obstacles that could impede fire apparatus or people evacuating during a fire.

— City News Service, Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026
Ukraine accused Washington of delaying the delivery of vital interceptor missiles and reported that a temporary disruption to the Starlink and Starshield satellite internet service impeded its ability to defend against Russian attacks.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

When a single cell in a repeating lattice cracks or punctures, the surrounding identical cells immediately follow suit, causing a chain-reaction collapse.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
This ends with Belzagar’s companion taking an arrow to the chest, Pharazôn wounded, and one of the would-be assassins in chains.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

Simmons, hampered by a leg injury after a QB draw in the fourth quarter, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-43 accuracy.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Colonialism herded these Indigenous communities directly in the path of the bears’ ancient migration, and now hunting regulations hamper their ability to manage the population.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The search-and-rescue effort will be hindered by worsening weather conditions, but Mamdani and Bonsignore both assured that operations will continue.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
Though it’s been received positively by many, some groups argue that the ordinance doesn’t fix major gaps that hinder street vendors.

— Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

The proposition would allow local governments to create economic development districts with the ability to issue bonds, make loans, and award grants of public money.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
The variable part of I bond interest resets every six months, based on the consumer price index.

— Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026