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
-
The game began, rain fell two innings in, and Odorizzi’s start was wiped out, which left the Twins in a bind.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
2 May 2025 -
In practical terms, losing accreditation means losing aid, which puts current students in a bind.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
Baskin-Robbins: The ice cream shop chain has two special Mother's Day cakes – The Perfect Peony Cake and the Strawberries ‘n Cream Cake.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
-
The doughnut chain had originally planned to sell its sweet treats at all of McD’s 13,000 restaurants.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your progress and growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
The Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2025
-
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
-
Torres had been free on bond since his arrest in 2023.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
-
Rollins now faces three felony charges and is being held at Pulaski County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
When he was arrested, a shaggy-haired Dominguez stood on a streetside curb along a quiet Villanova Drive surrounded by Davis police and Yolo County Sheriff’s deputies, dressed in the dark hooded tracksuit that matched a suspect description.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
17 May 2025
-
That driver had struck several curbs and traveled through a yard, the caller said, according to The Dispatch.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Hemphill has been incarcerated since March 3, but the indictment was unsealed Thursday as Hemphill appeared in court in shackles and a beige smock to plead not guilty.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2025
-
There, archaeologists found two sets of iron shackles, Redon said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
19 Mar. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share