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

Judge Charlaine Olmedo denied his lawyer’s request to have Burke’s chains removed, but agreed to drop the handcuffs. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026

The court denied the request, though his handcuffs were removed. — Alex Stone, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Verb

Las Vegas police confirmed that the two people in the video trying to handcuff the man were ICE agents. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Instead, there’s a growing concern MLS has handcuffed itself by hiding behind the Apple TV paywall. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026