Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

manacle

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of manacle

1 usually manacles plural something that physically prevents free movement
  • manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area
Synonyms of manacle

band, bind, bond, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, ligature, shackle
Words Related to manacle

captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction

entanglement, net, trammel, trap

collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket)

fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie
2 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 of manacle

balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
Words Related to manacle

catch, hitch, rub, snag

barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall

arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint

embargo, stoppage

delay, holdup, stall

burden, cumber, load

danger, hazard, peril, reef

adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
Near Antonyms of manacle

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus

advantage, break, edge

aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help

manacle

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of manacle

1 to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
  • manacled the prisoner to the wall
Synonyms of manacle

bind, chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, pinion, shackle, trammel
Words Related to manacle

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss

attach, fasten, join, link

confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede

limit, restrict

entangle, tangle
Near Antonyms of manacle

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue

undo, unfasten, untangle, untie

detach, disengage
Antonyms of manacle

unbind, unfetter, unshackle
2 to create difficulty for the work or activity of
  • in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations
Synonyms of manacle

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel
Words Related to manacle

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain

bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie

arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard

barricade, block, blockade, roadblock

bog (down), mire

choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate

baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart

derail, disrupt, sabotage

muzzle, repress, suppress

confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
Phrases Synonymous with manacle

cramp oneʼs style, give a hard time
Near Antonyms of manacle

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop

free, liberate, release, untie

loosen, smooth

encourage, further, promote
Antonyms of manacle

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Synonym Discussion of manacle

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.
    • hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate
trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
    • rules that trammel the artist's creativity
clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
    • a court system clogged by frivolous suits
fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
    • a nation fettered by an antiquated class system
shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.
    • a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
    • a people manacled by tyranny

Learn More about manacle

  1. See words that rhyme with manacle Dictionary: Definition of manacle

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up manacle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

decoct

Listen to the pronounciation of decoct

to boil down or concentrate

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. whitewash Emanuel speaks on dropped charges

  2. exonerate Barr summarizes Mueller report

  3. catamount Vermont enters the Round of 64

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games