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
  • Officers arrived and found Gonzalez in handcuffs with a gunshot wound to his midsection, the department said in a statement last week.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • On Tuesday, Davis appeared in court shackled in handcuffs and wearing a navy blue prison uniform.
    — Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of handcuffs
Noun
  • Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • China still accounts for about 95% of North Korea’s total official trade, and the South Korean government has reported 17 rail and vehicle links connecting China and North Korea, according to the AP.
    — Gage Goulding, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of links
Noun
  • The protection of American jobs justified the chains of bondage, or so the argument went.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Luke Sharrett | Bloomberg | Getty Images For many fast-food chains, beverages have become a critical way to attract consumers.
    — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of chains
Noun
  • As the fight wears on, money worries and the scrutiny of people around them chip away at the family’s income and its bonds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The sharp selloff in bonds has given investors a rare opportunity to lock in stock-market-like returns without taking on the risk that comes with equities, investment advisors to the ultra-wealthy told CNBC.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of bonds
Noun
  • The motif appears in necklaces with interlocking links, substantial bracelets, earrings, and rings, each playing with the shape's elegant proportions.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bee bracelets are equipped with artificial intelligence and microphones that can record, transcribe and analyze conversations.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bracelets
Noun
  • Leong, who has deep ties to Malaysian-Chinese culture, drew on his own family’s traditions to shape the story.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of ties
Noun
  • At Ann Demeulemeester, feathers, tulle and statement cuffs, alongside beaded jewelry, are the ultimate pieces to elevate a dark romantic looks.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Ramsay told the Miami Herald that Lopez was back in county jail Monday afternoon and provided photos of him being processed in cuffs and shackles.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of cuffs
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of cords

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ligature
ligatures
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Cite this Entry

“Ligatures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ligatures. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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