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 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 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
Definition of handcuffs
Noun
  • Leo spoke about his family’s historical links to the transatlantic slave trade on Wednesday in response to a reporter’s question about his American heritage.
    — Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Da Rin noted that longtime links between gangs and certain powerful elites in Haiti are still active.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of links
Noun
  • Peptides are short chains of amino acids and act as the building blocks of proteins in the body.
    — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill executives said consumers' mistrust of chains serving fresh lettuce weighed on sales in the second half of July.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • Trump has championed the construction of data centers for artificial intelligence, but the bonds financing those projects appear to have helped push up interest rates.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Research by the Washington University found that coworkers sharing personal information built stronger bonds and were more willing to respond to work needs, even when viewpoints differed.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bonds
Noun
  • Moreover, with new and different form factors emerging, consumers have even more choices, ranging from rings and bracelets to glasses and watches.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Sánchez Bezos paired the low-cut swimwear with two diamond bracelets and oversized sunglasses.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 27 July 2026
Definition of bracelets
Noun
  • The State Ethics Commission on Monday overruled an administrative law judge who found that two Republican groups with ties to the defunct First Liberty Building & Loan did not violate campaign finance laws.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The statues of Polyphemus, Scylla and Charybdis, and other figures from The Odyssey discovered in Tiberius’s villa attest to the area’s millennia-long ties to myths and legends.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ties
Noun
  • Think jelly sandals, silk scarves and headwraps, blue eyeshadow, bright jewel-tone dresses, or blouses with fun accents like feather cuffs.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The police officers urged the National Guard members to remove the plastic cuffs and replaced them with looser metal handcuffs, the tort claim said.
    — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
Definition of cuffs
Noun
  • Michael, who would later split from his father’s control, accused him of severe childhood emotional and physical abuse, including beatings with iron cords.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The device can fit in standard gallery frames and doesn’t require power or data cords.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 July 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of ligatures for Spanish Speakers

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