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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handcuffs
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Tucker’s rapid-fire delivery is punctuated with sound effects, music cues, and the use of a variety of props dangling from his person at all times (including handcuffs, a wad of cash, and two guns).
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
The discovery was made May 12 at the home of Wayne Leslie Briggs in Murphy, where deputies also found handcuffs and leg shackles, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
—Mark Price
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Ortiz sat quietly in the courtroom Wednesday wearing an orange jail uniform and handcuffs.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
According to the reports, prosecutors said Torbick was then heard screaming at Motykie to get off her and telling him not to put handcuffs on her.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
As Sanchez Toledo complained of pain from the handcuffs, the deputy who arrested him insisted on cuffing him with a second pair.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Before being taken to the new jail, those being held were placed in handcuffs, waist chains and leg restraints.
—Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
Thursday, Thorsen was flown in handcuffs from Germany to Atlanta, also the home of CDC headquarters.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 8 May 2026
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
Noun
Other facial recognition wrongful arrest cases Angela Lipps is not the first person to say facial recognition helped put them in handcuffs.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Tucker’s rapid-fire delivery is punctuated with sound effects, music cues, and the use of a variety of props dangling from his person at all times (including handcuffs, a wad of cash, and two guns).
—Malina Saval, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
The discovery was made May 12 at the home of Wayne Leslie Briggs in Murphy, where deputies also found handcuffs and leg shackles, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
—Mark Price
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Ortiz sat quietly in the courtroom Wednesday wearing an orange jail uniform and handcuffs.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026
According to the reports, prosecutors said Torbick was then heard screaming at Motykie to get off her and telling him not to put handcuffs on her.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
As Sanchez Toledo complained of pain from the handcuffs, the deputy who arrested him insisted on cuffing him with a second pair.
—Shoshana Walter, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026
Before being taken to the new jail, those being held were placed in handcuffs, waist chains and leg restraints.
—Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
Thursday, Thorsen was flown in handcuffs from Germany to Atlanta, also the home of CDC headquarters.
—Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuffs
Noun
-
Yet with tropical countries approaching the year’s first planting season, prices for key commodity crops haven’t yet budged, putting farmers in a bind.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Years of ignoring improper payments while promoting more program enrollment at all costs have now put the Commonwealth’s taxpayers in a bind.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The web of hospitality here binds residents of all ages together for a fulfilling and memory-rich lifestyle.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
-
This gel-like substance coats your gut and binds to cholesterol, preventing it from entering your bloodstream.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 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
-
This imbalance hinders some of the phrasing's sweetness in the vocal harmony.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
Vast terrain hinders search The immediate area in Stewart County where the search is currently contained is covered with big trees and steep hills, as well as snakes and ticks, according to the sheriff.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Walter Fredenhagen was the founder of the Cock Robin ice cream parlor chain.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Precariously balanced on the very tip of Coney Island, Sea Gate, where I was raised, is surrounded by water on three sides and divided from the rest of the world by a two-story chain link fence.—
Gabrielle Glancy,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Track when the first hospital system ties a disinfection robot fleet to a bond disclosure.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Now, a civil complaint filed May 1 by her brother on behalf of her estate ties her 2024 murder to an elaborate real estate fraud allegedly orchestrated by her estranged husband.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
State and federal agencies don’t track data around vitamin K injection refusal or subsequent bleeding, which impedes their ability to quantify and track outcomes, including death.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
Let go of whatever impedes your progress.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
