LIGATURES Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

ligatures

noun

plural of ligature

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

Relevance

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

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

In 2021, Clemons helped launch the Wealth Accelerator, which is currently running an accelerated pilot of Connecticut’s baby bonds program in the hopes of learning more about how to close the racial wealth gap.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
The result was a grand celebration attended by approximately 60,000 fans (according to Ocesa), symbolizing the bonds of friendship between South Korea and Mexico.

— Natalia Cano, Billboard, 26 Sep. 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

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

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ligature

ligatures

light

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Style

“Ligatures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ligatures. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ligatures

noun

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