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
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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
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Recent Examples of handcuffs
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Multiple officers returned fire, discharging about 23 rounds before Thompson was placed in handcuffs.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The trooper placed him under arrest and in handcuffs.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Laser pointers, flashlights, handcuffs, fireworks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Instead, as his 4-year-old grandson watched and cried, Thao was led out in handcuffs wearing only sandals and underwear with just a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The video shows a group of Kansas City police officers placing two people in handcuffs in a parking lot and shooing other people away from the area.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
Mangione wore prison garb to the hearing — his first time back in federal court since his arraignment last year — and his hands were not in handcuffs during the proceedings.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Omar Kelly
august 19, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
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
Some of those in handcuffs joined in the chant.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Multiple officers returned fire, discharging about 23 rounds before Thompson was placed in handcuffs.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The trooper placed him under arrest and in handcuffs.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Laser pointers, flashlights, handcuffs, fireworks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Instead, as his 4-year-old grandson watched and cried, Thao was led out in handcuffs wearing only sandals and underwear with just a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
The video shows a group of Kansas City police officers placing two people in handcuffs in a parking lot and shooing other people away from the area.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 10 Jan. 2026
Mangione wore prison garb to the hearing — his first time back in federal court since his arraignment last year — and his hands were not in handcuffs during the proceedings.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
But this unit is two plays — or better yet, two injuries — from being a disaster that handcuffs Miami’s offense, like last year’s unit did, after Grier laughed at the media for its concern about fragile state of the 2024 O-line.
—Omar Kelly
august 19, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
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
-
Policy choices like deficit spending and higher tariffs threaten to boost inflation, putting the Fed in a bind.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
There’s a lot of deus ex machina resolution of tight binds, things that happen off-screen and are waved away.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One large egg binds with the breadcrumbs and ensures that the meatballs remain moist and tender.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Later on Saturday night, long after the crowds and even backstage scene had dispersed, the two performers lingered in a dressing room at the Barceló Maya Riviera resort to discuss what sets them apart and what binds them.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
20 Jan. 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,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 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
-
That imbalance — one main character rendered flesh and blood while the other never comes to life — hinders the central narrative of the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2026
-
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,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The burger chain originally opened in 1982 near the corner of C Street and Elvas Avenue in East Sacramento, according to previous Bee reporting.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Maybe the implications of binding yourself in chains?—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These textured studs from Paris brand Agapée feature a green gem that ties perfectly with the dress.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Scottish singer-songwriter Jacob Alon was revealed as the Critics’ Choice winner from a shortlist that included Rose Gray and Sienna Spiro — joining a lineage that ties this year’s new talents to past Critics' Choice winners like Adele, Florence + The Machine and Sam Smith.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
20 Dec. 2025
-
During the meeting, Amy Flottemesch, president of the Cincinnati Food Truck Association, said the curfew impedes food truck owners’ ability to do business, which relies on late-night crowds.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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