Synonyms of handcuffed

handcuffed 1 of 2

adjective

as in helpless

unable to act or achieve one's purpose

handcuffed by a dearth of funding, the preservation society can do little but stand by as these historic structures deteriorate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• helpless
• paralyzed
• weak
• incompetent
• powerless
• hog-tied
• impotent
• high and dry
• hamstrung
• passive
• incapable
• useless
• ineffective
• impuissant
• unfit
• feeble
• ineffectual
• supine
• infirm
• inept
• spineless
• frail
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• able
• powerful
• strong
• capable
• competent
• mighty
• effective
• efficient
• potent
• dominant
• authoritarian
• autocratic
• tough
• sturdy
• dynamic
• forceful
• vigorous
• important
• tyrannical
• robust
• energetic
• major
• significant
• top
• dictatorial
• senior
• despotic
• puissant
• magisterial
• high-level

handcuffed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of handcuff

1

as in bound

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

• bound
• tied
• shackled
• hampered
• chained
• pinioned
• manacled
• confined
• lashed
• fettered
• constrained
• enchained
• attached
• trammeled
• enfettered
• trussed
• gyved
• linked
• secured
• hobbled
• fastened
• hog-tied
• ironed
• restricted
• hindered
• impeded
• bitted
• limited
• joined
• curbed
• tangled
• entangled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescued
• liberated
• freed
• released
• unbound
• unshackled
• emancipated
• loosed
• untied
• unfastened
• unfettered
• detached
• disengaged
• undid
• untangled

2

as in hampered

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

• hampered
• impeded
• hindered
• embarrassed
• obstructed
• handicapped
• shackled
• manacled
• inhibited
• cramped
• blocked
• hobbled
• stymied
• hog-tied
• restrained
• fettered
• delayed
• tied up
• encumbered
• interfered (with)
• tied
• constrained
• short-circuited
• disrupted
• clogged
• trammeled
• held back
• bound
• frustrated
• thwarted
• arrested
• chained
• tethered
• cramped one's style
• balked
• reined
• stifled
• leashed
• held up
• barricaded
• gave a hard time
• checked
• curbed
• choked
• retained
• retarded
• strangled
• confined
• braked
• baffled
• blockaded
• muzzled
• suffocated
• haltered
• smothered
• mired
• bogged (down)
• foiled
• sabotaged
• roadblocked
• stumped
• derailed
• repressed
• hemmed (in)
• suppressed
• hedged (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisted
• helped
• aided
• facilitated
• opened
• released
• cleared
• freed
• liberated
• untied
• loosened
• unplugged
• smoothed
• encouraged
• promoted
• made way
• unclogged
• unstopped
• furthered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handcuffed

Verb

Instead, the Tates were handcuffed outside the venue as British authorities seek their extradition, according to multiple media reports. — Staff Report, USA Today, 19 July 2026

Police said the man continued to resist being handcuffed by burying his left arm under his body, so one of the officers struck him on the side of his body, which is when video of the incident that were sent to the Statesman began. — Alex Brizee july 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Instead, there’s a growing concern MLS has handcuffed itself by hiding behind the Apple TV paywall. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

She was handcuffed and seated in the backseat of a Montville Township Police Department car. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Once Clarke did eventually pull over, he was handcuffed and put in the back of the Cross County sheriff deputy's patrol vehicle. — Jake Rosenwasser, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Martin, who sat handcuffed in the jury box, did not react as the woman spoke. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

On the 14th floor, three of them broke into Ojeda’s apartment, handcuffed him in front of his terrified wife and son, and dragged him out, according to court documents and security video. — Sebastian Rotella, ProPublica, 10 July 2026