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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuffs
Noun
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Other Republicans say the bill doesn’t go far enough to reduce spending and are pushing for deeper cuts, putting their party's leadership in a bind.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 June 2025 -
Trump and his national security team find themselves in a bind.—
Jennifer Kavanagh,
Foreign Affairs,
25 June 2025
Verb
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This medication binds to and removes excess iron or copper from the body, helping prevent further liver damage in conditions like hemochromatosis and Wilson disease.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
8 Apr. 2025
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Now the new study, led by UNM professor Brent Wagner, MD, has found a connection between gadolinium and oxalic acid, a molecule found in foods which binds with metal ions, leading to medical issues such as kidney stones.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Its over-the-shoulder chain instantly elevates any outfit, and the bag's rainbow tweed look is sophisticated, polished, and flirty all at once.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
-
Amazon’s past success with using Prime Day to drive sales and attract new members spurred other major retail chains to schedule competing sales in July.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Let go of whatever impedes your progress and growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
The Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2025
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However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Many wealthy families categorize art as conventional investments, like stocks or bonds.—
Matthew F. Erskine,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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In the 2000s, E*Trade’s Super Bowl baby became a cultural touchstone and a Trojan horse for a broader message: Stocks and bonds were no longer reserved for Wall Street.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Noun
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And, at the City Council’s request, the staff is looking at downtown areas where red curbs can be removed safely to provide additional parking, Frank said.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
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From the curb, this home makes a statement: all white, sleek lines, towering palms and a footprint that spans two lots.—
Natalie Hoberman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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After eight months imprisoned in shackles aboard six different ships, Platt managed to connect with a sympathetic attorney who asserted his right to habeas corpus and forced his release for trial.—
Time,
Time,
9 July 2025
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Privatization tends to yield significant cost savings and service improvements precisely because providers are not subject to the politicization and other shackles that typify monopolistic government provision of services.—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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