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
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The next moment, they were being whisked away in handcuffs to a detention center in the brush country of South Texas, in the small town of Dilley – population 5,732.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
One Miami man decided police checkpoints erected to protect the VP weren’t going to stop him, landing him in handcuffs, police say.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Video from a parking lot in northeast Minneapolis shows federal agents pounding on a car window, then taking the man inside into handcuffs.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The guard, the friend and a bystander restrained Garza on the ground outside the bar for 26 minutes until San Diego police Officers Jacob Phipps and Noah McLemore arrived, took over restraining him and placed him in handcuffs.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
One protester is put in handcuffs.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The trooper placed him under arrest and in handcuffs.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
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
Reina turned himself in at the downtown Sacramento County Main Jail, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, which posted a video of Reina in handcuffs on social media.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The next moment, they were being whisked away in handcuffs to a detention center in the brush country of South Texas, in the small town of Dilley – population 5,732.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
One Miami man decided police checkpoints erected to protect the VP weren’t going to stop him, landing him in handcuffs, police say.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Video from a parking lot in northeast Minneapolis shows federal agents pounding on a car window, then taking the man inside into handcuffs.
—Ashley Grams, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
The guard, the friend and a bystander restrained Garza on the ground outside the bar for 26 minutes until San Diego police Officers Jacob Phipps and Noah McLemore arrived, took over restraining him and placed him in handcuffs.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
One protester is put in handcuffs.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026
The original photo shows Armstrong in handcuffs being led away by a federal officer with his face blurred out.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
The trooper placed him under arrest and in handcuffs.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
-
The best way to avoid this particular bind?—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Fans criticized the tour announcement on social media, noting the heavy New York concentration leaves most American concertgoers in a financial bind.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Canned Beans Beans are heart-healthy legumes rich in soluble fiber, which binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps to flush it out of the body.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
28 Jan. 2026
-
One large egg binds with the breadcrumbs and ensures that the meatballs remain moist and tender.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 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
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The chain, of course, is known for its 24/7 operating capacity.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
-
All available buses will be outfitted with chains on their tires, but articulated ones will be removed from service for safety reasons.—
January 25,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Stapleton has won three times in the past, which currently ties him with Kacey Musgraves, Josh Kear and Lori McKenna.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thus, the inability to read complex material impedes social as well as intellectual growth.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
However, if leaving the door open impedes foot traffic or may allow a child or animal to become trapped inside the drum, even a few inches are helpful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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