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
Relevance
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Christian Ascencio noticed a child crying, trying to hold the hand of a woman in handcuffs after the Bruno Mars concert.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
In fact, sheriff's deputies handcuffed a Black man accused of assaulting another Black man.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Glen was able to remove the handcuffs from the woman.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
Christian Ascencio noticed a child crying, trying to hold the hand of a woman in handcuffs after the Bruno Mars concert.
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Verb
In a screen grab from his brief appearance on Wednesday, Abu Safiya, 53, was shown handcuffed and sitting in white prison garb.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
In fact, sheriff's deputies handcuffed a Black man accused of assaulting another Black man.
—Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
According to him, high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine bind with the body’s mu opioid receptors much more effectively than mitragynine, which can cause dependency.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
The expectations of the triple bind can manifest as a reflection of other people’s perceptions, Hinshaw explained.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The Rays entered the series after a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox but have lost consecutive games to the Angels, who were tied for the worst record in the American League at the start of play Saturday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
-
The Knicks elected to foul rather than allow San Antonio to attempt a tying three and the strategy worked exactly as intended.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Ukraine is rapidly producing cheap drones that impede Russia’s advances.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Another worker who protested the raid was sentenced to 22 months in prison for using a rock to assault and impede a federal officer.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
But many were reopened after Pappas Restaurants acquired the chain.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
According to the company’s website, the business sells precious and semi-precious crystal pendants, carvings and chains.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Trump has often alleged rampant voter fraud that has hampered Republicans’ success, and his base has largely accepted these sentiments to be true, despite no evidence backing up his accusations.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
Covid pandemic-era border closures hampered exchange between the two sides and later, Pyongyang grew closer to Moscow, deploying what are believed to be thousands of soldiers to aid Russia’s war against Ukraine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
As President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys soldiers and orders probes into police corruption, widespread allegations of collusion with syndicates deepen residents’ mistrust and hinder investigations into such brazen attacks.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
More than four years since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has remained largely static as swarms of drones hinder advances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
There is an alternative to such a view, one which recognizes that there are bonds that connect people within a society.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Daniels was booked in the Collin County Jail in lieu of a $500 bond, according to jail records.—
Briauna Brown,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Joaquin Escoto, 28, entered Stanislaus County Superior Court shackled at the wrists and ankles, wearing an orange-and-white jail uniform and sitting beside his attorney and a Spanish interpreter.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
-
According to the lawsuit, four days after ZOR arrived at the facility, ICE officers shackled him and drove him to the Mexican border.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
