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
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Recent Examples of handcuffs
Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Smovzh in handcuffs, flanked by masked officers – was published on the US Border Patrol’s official Instagram account.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The department spokesperson reaffirmed allegations that Barranco swung a weed whacker at agents and resisted commands and handcuffs.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Before they were led out of Mabel Bassett in handcuffs and leg irons, to face their resentencing hearings in the county courts where they were convicted, Wilkens tried to prepare them.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Dozens of spring breakers across two popular beach destinations ended up in handcuffs over the weekend as authorities continue to crack down on the mayhem wreaking havoc up and down the Sunshine State’s shores.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
He is later placed in handcuffs and arrested.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2026
The episode ends with police bodycam footage showing authorities putting Paul in handcuffs in front of her home.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The footage released by police ends as officers work to remove his handcuffs.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Mar. 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
The officers had both men in handcuffs within seconds and recovered two semi-automatic guns along with four shell casings, prosecutors said.
—Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Smovzh in handcuffs, flanked by masked officers – was published on the US Border Patrol’s official Instagram account.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The department spokesperson reaffirmed allegations that Barranco swung a weed whacker at agents and resisted commands and handcuffs.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Before they were led out of Mabel Bassett in handcuffs and leg irons, to face their resentencing hearings in the county courts where they were convicted, Wilkens tried to prepare them.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Dozens of spring breakers across two popular beach destinations ended up in handcuffs over the weekend as authorities continue to crack down on the mayhem wreaking havoc up and down the Sunshine State’s shores.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 23 Mar. 2026
He is later placed in handcuffs and arrested.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2026
The episode ends with police bodycam footage showing authorities putting Paul in handcuffs in front of her home.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
The footage released by police ends as officers work to remove his handcuffs.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Mar. 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
-
The bread bakery that sits in the middle If stores aren’t willing to raise prices, that puts wholesalers in a bind.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
-
That tension has placed Kelly in an increasingly precarious bind.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Miller was tested for carboxyhemoglobin, a compound generated when carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The seven-time Super Bowl champion has morphed into a glue guy, whose employment as a Fox Sports NFL television analyst, part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and key partner with Fanatics binds him with almost every major stakeholder in the Flag Football Classic and WrestleMania 42.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 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,
17 Mar. 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,
11 Mar. 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 instruments used to make antimatter create interference that hinders its study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Traveling back across the ocean also hinders preparation for the following week.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her dad was the credit manager for a local chain of appliance stores, a second-generation Jewish immigrant, and a lifelong Republican.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Teel is the grandson of Raley’s founder Tom Raley, and was hired at the grocery chain in 1976, after college.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That human interest is the common link that ties together public and private space ambitions worldwide.—
Scott Solomon,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Robb Report ties the entity to Gu Fang, the wife of Chinese billionaire Xu Hang, co-founder of medical device manufacturer Mindray Medical, but Southern California News Group could not confirm that connection.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
This gross oversight, which is largely due to a lack of financial backing, impedes reproductive health for everyone.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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