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
  • Paden’s father, Jim Paden, wiped away tears with a handkerchief at the sight of his son in handcuffs and clad in an orange jail garb.
    — Glenn Rice, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The Democrats wrote in a summary of the allegations that immigrants sleep while restrained with handcuffs, leg irons and belly chains, and even elderly people have been chained for 16 hours a day.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of handcuffs
Noun
  • The president was asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about any links between the pilot behind the attack and Tehran.
    — DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, mathematicians already know that knots of two or more links have ambiguous polynomials.
    — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of links
Noun
  • Our girl is layered in gold chains and wearing a tiara in the middle of the day, but the years have taken a toll; kudos to the series’ makeup team for making Florence Pugh look older and harsher.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Another standout design element came through gilded metallic chains on several sandals, which created a sense of delicate and dynamic glamour.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • But that condition applies to all affectionate bonds and doesn’t, on its own, identify attachment.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • These brokerage accounts, available for parents to open for any child under age 18, allow kids — with their parents' help managing the accounts — to start building investment portfolios with stocks, mutual funds and bonds.
    — Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of bonds
Noun
  • The Villena Treasure includes 66 items, including 11 gold bowls, 28 gold bracelets, and more, adding up to about 10 kg (22 pounds) of gold.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Those measures include real-time monitoring of perpetrators of violence wearing electronic ankle bracelets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of bracelets
Noun
  • The run ties for the longest run of Mensah’s collegiate career.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
  • India is trying to balance its ties with Russia against its growing partnerships with the United States and other Western powers.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ties
Noun
  • An added bonus is built-in sun protection and a cord lock around the cuffs to help prevent bug bites.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The two-piece look, inspired by a design from the fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection, featured an extra-cropped, long-sleeve top with dramatic cuffs and fabric ribbons.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of cuffs
Noun
  • In the decades since, the piece has evolved to be made with leather cords instead—an alternative to the traditional stuffy tie—and worn by cowboys while riding.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
  • UCHealth recommends removing clutter and cords and keeping hallways well lit as simple starting points that don’t require any construction.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 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 Oct. 2026.

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