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
• thwarts
• barricades
• holds up
• frustrates
• checks
• balks
• roadblocks
• halters
• retards
• stifles
• confines
• chokes
• blockades
• foils
• strangles
• retains
• muzzles
• bogs (down)
• baffles
• stumps
• sabotages
• suffocates
• 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 trooper ordered Lugo out of the BMW before placing him in handcuffs. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

The same day, the other man, Daniel Maddox, was placed in handcuffs at the home that was searched and held for several hours, the notice says. — Phil Helsel, NBC news, 31 July 2026

During the search, Palazuelos said he was placed in handcuffs while authorities searched his vehicle and later his Rio Rico home. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Circumstances surrounding his arrest were not disclosed, but police shared a photo of him in handcuffs in what looked to be a parking garage. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 30 July 2026

The department made the announcement on Instagram with a photo of the suspect in handcuffs with two officers standing nearby. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

The tight plastic handcuffs caused numbness in her dominant hand that persisted for weeks, documents said, and tests showed that the handcuffs ruptured at least one ligament in her wrist. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026

After police responded to the scene, Kim peered outside her window to see Elijah Bieniemy being led away in handcuffs Sunday evening. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

The expression on her face changed from concern to pure shock as an officer came behind her and put her arms in handcuffs, the video showed. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 25 July 2026

Verb

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