as in bind
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 binds
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 hampers
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 handcuffs
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
After placing Allen in handcuffs, officers moved him a short distance away to remove what appeared to be a tactical vest.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
In May 2020, sheriff’s deputy Aaron Russell, who was assigned to the Central Jail, shot and killed 36-year-old Nicholas Bils as Bils fled, unarmed, after slipping out of handcuffs just outside the facility.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
He was then taken away in handcuffs, the source said.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2026
The season ended with Julian and Senior in handcuffs as Matty and Olympia walked away from Jacobson Moore toward a future that appears to include their own law firm.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The Okaloosa sheriff’s office said Gillum was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin, and posted a photo of him being led away in handcuffs.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The handcuffs were removed, and one of the men pulled down my sleeves to cover the cuts and bruises on my arms.
—Shelly Kittleson, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
His head was bandaged and his hands were behind his back in handcuffs.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason.
—Omar Kelly
march 8, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
While state law seemingly handcuffs local officials into approving solar projects, Richmond said residents and board members need to work together to fight solar power plants.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Pat hung his head and did not comment as he was escorted in handcuffs out of the 104th Precinct station house.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
After placing Allen in handcuffs, officers moved him a short distance away to remove what appeared to be a tactical vest.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
In May 2020, sheriff’s deputy Aaron Russell, who was assigned to the Central Jail, shot and killed 36-year-old Nicholas Bils as Bils fled, unarmed, after slipping out of handcuffs just outside the facility.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
He was then taken away in handcuffs, the source said.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2026
The season ended with Julian and Senior in handcuffs as Matty and Olympia walked away from Jacobson Moore toward a future that appears to include their own law firm.
—Sabienna Bowman, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
The Okaloosa sheriff’s office said Gillum was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin, and posted a photo of him being led away in handcuffs.
—Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The handcuffs were removed, and one of the men pulled down my sleeves to cover the cuts and bruises on my arms.
—Shelly Kittleson, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
His head was bandaged and his hands were behind his back in handcuffs.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The officer again tells Timberlake to turn around and handcuffs him.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason.
—Omar Kelly
march 8, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026
While state law seemingly handcuffs local officials into approving solar projects, Richmond said residents and board members need to work together to fight solar power plants.
—Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuffs
Noun
-
Yet with tropical countries approaching the year’s first planting season, prices for key commodity crops haven’t yet budged, putting farmers in a bind.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Years of ignoring improper payments while promoting more program enrollment at all costs have now put the Commonwealth’s taxpayers in a bind.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The soluble fiber in chia seeds attracts water and binds to cholesterol and dietary fats.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The one thing that binds them all is the IRGC.—
Ian Pannell,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The anti-caking coating that prevents cheese from sticking together also hinders cheese from blending or melting into other foods with ease.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Two that are also components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average — McDonald's and Walt Disney Co — are the week's headliners, while restaurant chains, media companies and gig economy platforms will also have a big showing.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
Protesters are demanding that the hardware store chain protect day laborers against future arrests and deportations after last year's uptick in immigration enforcement operations, some of which happened outside of Home Depot locations in Southern California.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
According to Healthline, that constellation of symptoms ties directly back to how the body handles excess blood sugar.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
-
That ties the 1992-93 Heat roster for the most on any opening night roster in franchise history.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
