ligatures

noun

plural of ligature
1
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement the surgeon tied a ligature around the tube to keep it in place

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in links
a uniting or binding force or influence a common language is often the ligature that unites the people of a nation

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 ligatures After refining their word-swapping dictionary over three months, the ShieldFont creators ended up with a list of nearly 12,000 common words that can be replaced with ligatures. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026 Court records cited by the outlets state DNA recovered from ligatures used to bind Weaver was eventually linked through the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, to Gaff, who had previously been convicted in a separate rape case. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ligatures
  1. handcuffs
  2. links
  3. chains
  4. bonds
  5. bracelets
  6. ties
  7. cuffs
  8. cords
Noun
  • The sequence concludes with Monrovia police leading the man away in handcuffs.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Bryant is also seen lying on the ground in handcuffs alongside the two other men in Southlake, Texas.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of handcuffs
Noun
  • Although the technology still requires further development, its performance offers a promising direction for short-range optical links.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Perfect your game at the Sea Ranch Golf Course, an 18-hole Scottish-style links course designed in two phases by Robert Muir Graves to incorporate the natural elements of the seaside terrain.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of links
Noun
  • In the front yard of a home on Bray Road, there’s a huge snarling Beast carved out of an old diseased elm tree, held in place by heavy steel chains.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Fewer than a quarter of new cases are coming from people known to have been in contact with an infected person, showing there are ongoing chains of transmission that health authorities are not aware of.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • This return meant there was nothing new for Vicki to engage with, no new bonds to forge, no new stories to find.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The stadium and a new training facility in Olathe will be funded through the state’s bonding program called sales tax and revenue (STAR) bonds, which stretch across a two-county district.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bonds
Noun
  • Borbonese was started in Turin, Italy, in 1910 under the ownership of Umberto Minestrone and Edoardo Calcagno, supplying necklaces, bracelets and other accoutrements to Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Galitzine and Ungaro.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • They could probably be confined at home, with ankle bracelets, after some time in the Big House.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of bracelets
Noun
  • But North Korea’s deepening military ties with Russia since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine have led analysts to question whether Pyongyang is becoming less reliant on Beijing.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a social media post that the soldiers were only recently allowed to use plastic restraint ties and only in areas around train stations, not throughout the city.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of ties
Noun
  • Some even have button-up cuffs so they can be worn with different heel heights.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Inside, there’s dedicated storage for rings and earrings, as well as larger necklaces and cuffs.
    — Helena Madden, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of cuffs
Noun
  • Patrick, who was injured when his cleats became tangled in TV cords, had to first seek redress through a grievance procedure before being able to pursue a lawsuit.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Even after Hammami was tied up (passengers used headphone cords and plastic zip ties), the passengers and crew were in danger.
    — Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of cords

Browse Nearby Words

ligature
ligatures
light
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Cite this Entry

“Ligatures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ligatures. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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