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

Circumstances surrounding his arrest were not disclosed, but police shared a photo of him in handcuffs in what looked to be a parking garage. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 30 July 2026

The department made the announcement on Instagram with a photo of the suspect in handcuffs with two officers standing nearby. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Verb

According to the claim, Daniel Maddox, was held at gunpoint, handcuffed, and then arrested outside the family home during the same incident. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

One of the Guard members continued holding King on the ground after she was handcuffed. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026