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

There’s nothing to commemorate the day federal agents chased Leodegario Martínez Barradas into the parking lot of a car dealership, placed him in handcuffs and led him away. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

The suspect was successfully placed in handcuffs without any physical injury to the officers. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

There’s so little cohesion from week to week that last episode’s dramatic cliffhanger — Susan in handcuffs after Rhonda accuses her of kidnapping — is brushed off in an aside in the opening scene. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

The lawsuit alleges that county policy requires jail inmates to be restrained in handcuffs, waist chains and leg shackles while being transported. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

The footage shows the woman lying on the ground in handcuffs. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

He was struck several times while pinned down and in handcuffs. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Wearing dark blue jail garb, handcuffs and iron shackles around his waist, Caruso on Friday was ordered to surrender his passport before release. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Instead of gold watches, silver handcuffs encircled their wrists. — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 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