1
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in embarrassment
shackles plural
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hinder
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
shackled by poverty and ignorance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shackle
ABC News, 14 May 2026
The discovery was made May 12 at the home of Wayne Leslie Briggs in Murphy, where deputies also found handcuffs and leg shackles, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
—Mark Price
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Soon the refugee was shackled in the snow, hand bleeding, face bruised.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
The artifacts, which occupy an entire floor of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, include over 80 sets of iron shackles, many of them child-size.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
The discovery was made May 12 at the home of Wayne Leslie Briggs in Murphy, where deputies also found handcuffs and leg shackles, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
—Mark Price
may 13, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Verb
Mangione, 28, entered the courtroom Monday wearing a dark blazer with his hands shackled while a group of his supporters sat in the back of the courtroom.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Soon the refugee was shackled in the snow, hand bleeding, face bruised.
—Dan Barry, New York Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
-
Now, his family is suing the restaurant chain, as well as the manufacturer that supplied the raw ground beef kofta.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
The Rockies’ Kyle Karros hit an opposite-field line drive that carried to the right-field warning track, but Lee tracked down the potential extra-base hit on the run, then crashed into the chain-link portion of the fence.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Nectar Hard Seltzer has been partnering with influencer Kelly Kim to get people to reframe the alcohol flush reaction some people experience, to turn it into a beauty moment instead of embarrassment.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
The bleeding was stopped, but the third period was bound to be a thriller based on how these two teams were finding clear chances to score.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
The service The staff here are ever so kind, and bound by the same joy and passion for food and nature as the people that visit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Undeterred, the siblings set off on a perilous journey, helped and hindered by both natural and supernatural elements along the way.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Last year, probation officials began requiring CLERB to seek court approval before obtaining records in cases involving juveniles — a process former CLERB officials and advocates described as hindering meaningful oversight.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Enjoy aguas frescas, body and face painting or make your own daisy chain bracelets.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
-
Is the Bee bracelet a good idea?—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
That disconnect is beginning to create what could become the new trust economy—one in which governance, authentication, transparency and accountability become strategic advantages for the companies in this space, rather than just operational or compliance obstacles.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Another solo blast tied it at three apiece in the seventh when Hokies infielder Ethan Gibson covered the deepest part of the park and chased Bruins’ starter Michael Barnett after six-plus innings.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
31 May 2026
-
Harel cleared 7-2 on his first attempt — a personal best — tying for fourth on the national list this year.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
-
His attempts to impede the certification of the 2020 election led to him being charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, alongside hundreds of January 6th rioters.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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