manacles 1 of 2

noun

plural of manacle
as in irons
something that physically prevents free movement manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area

Synonyms & Similar Words

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manacles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of manacle
1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains manacled the prisoner to the wall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampers
to create difficulty for the work or activity of in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations

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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 manacles
Noun
Speaking to Morgan during an interview released on YouTube on Tuesday, British national Yiannopoulos, 41, recounted how his hands and feet were chained together with manacles. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manacles
  1. bond
  2. binds
  3. hampers
  4. chain
  5. chains
  6. impedes
  7. constraint
  8. handcuffs
Noun
  • The proposition would allow local governments to create economic development districts with the ability to issue bonds, make loans, and award grants of public money.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The variable part of I bond interest resets every six months, based on the consumer price index.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of bond
Verb
  • Once lathered, the formula deploys papin, an enzyme that’s derived from papaya and helps dissolve the glue that binds dead skin cells.
    — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Researchers can tune a network’s structure using this self-adjusting behavior, which limits how many neighbors each particle binds to.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of binds
Verb
  • But the inability a company to buy ads hampers a campaign’s visibility and removes a key tool that studios use to spread the word about a movie currently in theaters.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hampers
Noun
  • The local chain, which Dick Portillo founded in 1963, offers solid versions of local favorites, including hot dogs, Italian beef, and a Maxwell Street Polish.
    — Amy Cavanaugh, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Processing 'monopoly' But the push is facing growing resistance as host governments demand more local processing, a stage China dominates and has turned into a key supply-chain chokepoint.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of chain
Verb
  • Other specialty markets, including the Asian grocery chains 99 Ranch Market and T&T Supermarket, are also expanding in Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Restaurant chains Chipotle and QDOBA pulled jalapeños last week.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of chains
Verb
  • That is, using AI to fix problems and do work that slows and impedes the creative process.
    — Mark Schilling, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Pain that lasts for more than a day and impedes your regular activities is.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of impedes
Noun
  • Trump, frustrated by domestic constraints, could use more force against Iran to try to secure his legacy.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Beijing treats 70% import dependence as an implicit red line – which puts copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, bauxite and iron ore under a hard national security constraint to expand supply abroad, Wang said.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • Federal agents were waiting on the tarmac to greet them, handcuffs at the ready.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The state government already handcuffs local municipalities with preemption laws.
    — Oliver Adams Larkin, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of handcuffs

Browse Nearby Words

manacled
manacles
manacling
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Cite this Entry

“Manacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manacles. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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