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
Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
He was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs.
—Maxime Tamsett, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Videos posted to social media taken by witnesses show law enforcement putting people in handcuffs, and some show agents tackling people to the ground and dragging them.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Laser pointers, flashlights, handcuffs, fireworks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
He was kept in shackles and handcuffs for 16 hours.
—Steve Karnowski, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
He was kept in ‘shackles and handcuffs’ for sixteen hours.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
By the end of the day, three staff members of the union were in handcuffs.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While officers were away from the vehicle, the youth was able to slip out of the handcuffs and get into the front seat of the vehicle — which had the keys in the ignition — and drive away, authorities said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
The 57-year-old was dressed in an orange and white prison uniform with handcuffs and chains on her wrists.
—Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026
He was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs.
—Maxime Tamsett, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Videos posted to social media taken by witnesses show law enforcement putting people in handcuffs, and some show agents tackling people to the ground and dragging them.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026
Laser pointers, flashlights, handcuffs, fireworks.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
He was kept in shackles and handcuffs for 16 hours.
—Steve Karnowski, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
He was kept in ‘shackles and handcuffs’ for sixteen hours.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026
By the end of the day, three staff members of the union were in handcuffs.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 26 Feb. 2026
While officers were away from the vehicle, the youth was able to slip out of the handcuffs and get into the front seat of the vehicle — which had the keys in the ignition — and drive away, authorities said.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
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
-
Trades for big-money players, and lucrative extensions given the past few years have left the Dolphins’ new decision-makers in a financial bind, possessing less than $1 million in cap space after releasing three veteran players last month.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The decision puts the state of California in a bind.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Buckeye by Patrick Ryan A fleeting moment of passion in post–VE Day Ohio binds Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt, setting off a chain of secrets that spans generations.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The document binds none of them.—
The AI Insider,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 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
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The chain has more than 100 locations in California, including several in the Los Angeles area.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
To complement the sweet heat flavors of the new sandwich, the beloved chicken chain is also introducing a full line of four Strawberry Hibiscus flavored beverages.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What ties all five of these spots together is that each one offers something beyond the expected.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Xavier’s arc this season also ties into Maddie’s relationship with her mom.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Aid groups say the true war death toll could be many times higher, as the fighting in vast and remote areas impedes access.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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