Synonyms of manacle

manacle 1 of 2

noun

ˈma-ni-kəl 

1

as in chain

usually manacles plural something that physically prevents free movement

manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area

Synonyms & Similar Words

• chain
• bond
• irons
• handcuff(s)
• constraint
• shackle
• bind
• restriction
• bracelet
• confinement
• fetter
• trap
• ligature
• band
• restraint
• net
• imprisonment
• captivity
• holding
• cuff(s)
• tie
• curb
• incarceration
• hindrance
• enslavement
• collar
• straitjacket
• entanglement
• trammel
• enchainment
• hold
• immurement
• fastener
• hobble
• hold-down

2

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult

the warring groups need to shake off the manacle of their troubled past and learn to live with one another in peace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• barrier
• shackles
• embarrassment
• chain
• interference
• impediment
• encumbrance
• let
• inhibition
• hindrance
• burden
• deterrent
• constraint
• fetter
• cramp
• handicap
• block
• stumbling block
• trammel
• stop
• bar
• hitch
• drag
• load
• clog
• brake
• crimp
• balk
• blockade
• rub
• restraint
• holdback
• arrest
• delay
• danger
• curb
• rein
• blockage
• snag
• stone wall
• embargo
• brick wall
• disadvantage
• catch
• hazard
• hobble
• stoppage
• difficulty
• stall
• peril
• reef
• hardship
• bit
• drawback
• holdup
• cumber
• adversity
• check

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulus
• catalyst
• incentive
• impetus
• spur
• advantage
• aid
• edge
• assistance
• break
• stimulant
• goad
• benefit
• help
• boost
• handmaiden

manacle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

manacled the prisoner to the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• tie
• enchain
• shackle
• handcuff
• chain
• fetter
• hamper
• confine
• lash
• constrain
• pinion
• trammel
• gyve
• attach
• iron
• secure
• fasten
• link
• enfetter
• truss
• hobble
• bit
• hog-tie
• hinder
• curb
• restrict
• impede
• limit
• join
• tangle
• entangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescue
• liberate
• release
• free
• loose
• emancipate
• unshackle
• unfetter
• unbind
• untie
• unfasten
• undo
• untangle
• detach
• disengage

2

as in to hamper

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• embarrass
• obstruct
• shackle
• handicap
• fetter
• handcuff
• cramp
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• restrain
• hobble
• hog-tie
• block
• encumber
• tie up
• delay
• trammel
• stymie
• hold back
• clog
• constrain
• disrupt
• tie
• bind
• short-circuit
• thwart
• tether
• give a hard time
• leash
• curb
• brake
• chain
• rein
• frustrate
• stifle
• retard
• hold up
• cramp one's style
• barricade
• strangle
• check
• balk
• arrest
• retain
• blockade
• halter
• choke
• confine
• bog (down)
• foil
• mire
• muzzle
• baffle
• sabotage
• suffocate
• stump
• repress
• smother
• roadblock
• derail
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)
• suppress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aid
• help
• assist
• facilitate
• open
• liberate
• make way
• free
• release
• clear
• loosen
• untie
• unstop
• unplug
• smooth
• unclog
• promote
• encourage
• further

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb manacle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manacle are clog, fetter, hamper, shackle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

When might clog be a better fit than manacle?

Although the words clog and manacle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When would fetter be a good substitute for manacle?

The words fetter and manacle can be used in similar contexts, but fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When is it sensible to use hamper instead of manacle?

The synonyms hamper and manacle are sometimes interchangeable, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When can trammel be used instead of manacle?

The words trammel and manacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manacle

Noun

Beneath it, on the left side of the page, was a picture of Jackson in manacles. — Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024

During the trial, Wilber wore a manacle around his ankle and a stun belt on his arm. — Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2022

How to Be an Antiracist is a journal of Kendi's efforts to free himself of the ideological manacles clamped upon him by a society suffused with white supremacism, capitalist exploitation, misogyny and the repression of unconventional sexuality. — Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2019

From every officer’s belt there dangled an insectlike furl of disposable plastic manacles. — Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019

The genie is literally the slave of the lamp, his power bracelets actually manacles keeping him obedient to an endless round of masters. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 12 June 2019

The cellar dungeons were complete with bolts, chains and manacles for securing captives to the floors. — Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian, 27 Feb. 2018

Verb

King appeared in a gray and white, striped prison suit, with his hands manacled at his waist. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026

Once the detainees were on board, agents brought in a van with dozens of women, also manacled, to board next. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025

Drugged, kidnapped, and manacled while a pitiless killer wears her face. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 July 2024

The scandal is that, instead of doing his duty, the attorney general manacled his own Justice Department’s investigation. — The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2023

His hands were manacled to a chain belt at his waist, and his feet were bound by leg irons. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 4 Dec. 2019