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
• barricades
• thwarts
• holds up
• frustrates
• checks
• balks
• roadblocks
• halters
• retards
• stifles
• confines
• blockades
• chokes
• foils
• strangles
• retains
• muzzles
• bogs (down)
• baffles
• stumps
• suffocates
• sabotages
• 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

The man in handcuffs, shortly after being detained, became unresponsive, according to the Sheriff’s Office. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

After following orders to walk backward and drop to his knees, he was placed in handcuffs and questioned by officers from Dunwoody and the neighboring community of Doraville. — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

Jones appeared in court on Thursday afternoon in handcuffs and ankle shackles. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Video captured by a bystander on July 6, 2024, shows Hardy on the ground in handcuffs and surrounded by officers. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Instead of referencing being placed in handcuffs, Jacobs said his celly was an homage to a gospel song. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2026

Wearing a brown shirt and khaki pants, Soliman was led out of court in handcuffs and shackles without looking at the victims in the courtroom. — Thomas Peipert, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

During Thursday court hearing, Jones, in handcuffs and ankle shackles, was carried into the courtroom by court bailiffs. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Houdini also was locked in handcuffs and leg irons for the stunt. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Federal agents were waiting on the tarmac to greet them, handcuffs at the ready. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

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