Synonyms of handcuffs

handcuffs 1 of 2

noun

plural of handcuff

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

• bind
• irons
• chain
• bond
• curb
• shackle
• band
• bracelet
• tie
• holding
• cuff(s)
• ligature
• collar
• fetter
• trap
• restraint
• net
• captivity
• imprisonment
• confinement
• manacle(s)
• straitjacket
• incarceration
• restriction
• hindrance
• hold
• enslavement
• constraint
• fastener
• entanglement
• trammel
• enchainment
• immurement
• hobble
• hold-down

handcuffs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of handcuff

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

• binds
• chains
• ties
• shackles
• confines
• fetters
• hampers
• manacles
• lashes
• gyves
• constrains
• enchains
• bits
• attaches
• trammels
• irons
• pinions
• enfetters
• links
• hobbles
• trusses
• fastens
• secures
• curbs
• limits
• hinders
• hog-ties
• restricts
• joins
• impedes
• tangles
• entangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescues
• releases
• frees
• liberates
• unbinds
• unties
• unshackles
• emancipates
• unfastens
• looses
• unfetters
• undoes
• detaches
• untangles
• disengages

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

• hampers
• hinders
• impedes
• embarrasses
• obstructs
• shackles
• handicaps
• blocks
• fetters
• manacles
• interferes (with)
• hobbles
• cramps
• short-circuits
• delays
• trammels
• clogs
• inhibits
• restrains
• holds back
• encumbers
• stymies
• ties up
• chains
• hog-ties
• ties
• reins
• disrupts
• constrains
• brakes
• leashes
• tethers
• curbs
• arrests
• cramps one's style
• gives a hard time
• binds
• thwarts
• barricades
• holds up
• frustrates
• checks
• balks
• roadblocks
• halters
• retards
• stifles
• confines
• chokes
• blockades
• foils
• strangles
• retains
• muzzles
• bogs (down)
• baffles
• stumps
• sabotages
• suffocates
• smothers
• hedges (in)
• derails
• hems (in)
• mires
• represses
• suppresses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aids
• helps
• assists
• facilitates
• opens
• unties
• releases
• frees
• liberates
• clears
• unplugs
• unstops
• loosens
• makes way
• unclogs
• smooths
• encourages
• promotes
• furthers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handcuffs

Noun

But a DeKalb County officer recently had his firearm in one hand and handcuffs in the other while trying to arrest a teenager who was on the ground with his hands behind his back. — Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 12 July 2026

The 18-year-old was sent to Adelanto ICE Detention Center in handcuffs, nearly 100 miles away from his worried family members. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Those on scene during Thursday’s operation saw federal agents enter the food manufacturing facility, escort multiple people from the building in handcuffs and remove what appeared to be boxes of documents and computers before leaving. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

The teen was lying on his stomach as Harris attempted to take him into custody, with the officer holding a firearm in one hand at the teen's back and handcuffs in the other, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Hector Alvarez saw them being walked out of the skyscraper's loading dock in handcuffs. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 1 July 2026

In footage released by KENS 5, the sisters are seen being arrested at a home and being escorted in handcuffs by officers. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

Once outside, paramedics determined that Martin had stopped breathing, removed his handcuffs and began CPR. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2026

In fact, success can create its own handcuffs because identity becomes so closely tied to position and titles. — Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Verb

The state government already handcuffs local municipalities with preemption laws. — Oliver Adams Larkin, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

For example, Stevens said, a department could create a policy that if an officer chases down and handcuffs a suspect — an inherently tense situation — a different officer would be responsible for transporting and booking the suspect, eliminating further contact with the first officer. — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026

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