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
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Recent Examples of shackle
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
This is about shaking off the shackles of those one-size-fits-all limitations.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Hussen was put into an SUV and driven to a processing center where he was shackled and had his fingerprints taken, the lawsuit says.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
After the procedure was completed, the shackles were not reapplied, a lapse the sheriff's office said directly contributed to his escape.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
This is about shaking off the shackles of those one-size-fits-all limitations.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
She was taken, shackled, to an Allina hospital, where she was given an MRI and held overnight under watch.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
Hussen was put into an SUV and driven to a processing center where he was shackled and had his fingerprints taken, the lawsuit says.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
-
But as coffee has taken off in China, traditionally a tea-drinking market, Starbucks has run into a slew of competitors from boutique cafes to chains such as Cotti Coffee and Manner — which often sell drinks at half the price as Starbucks.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
As of Friday morning, the 99 Ranch Market, one of the largest Asian supermarket chains with 54 stores across 10 states including California, was boarded up and closed to the public.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Well, there was a great deal left in me, in an agony of embarrassment looking around for that hole on the floor to crawl into.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But anomaly detection may have prevented embarrassments like the one at OPERA.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the Olympic Charter — the book of rules and protocol for the Games and Olympic sports bodies — binds the national Olympic committees to staying neutral in political matters.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The interim administration is bound to an international roadmap that demands measurable progress on democratic reforms, the release of political prisoners and restructuring of key sectors of the economy.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Efforts to pass broader AI regulations have failed in recent years, as lawmakers worried that too much regulation could hinder the state’s burgeoning innovation efforts and scare companies away the state.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
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Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bold two-tone bracelet and contrasting black face make this a standout option.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
In fact, the bracelet is nearly an exact replica, underpinned by more elevated, modern craftsmanship.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When the car finally got moving, protesters began throwing obstacles in its path — Lime scooters, bicycles, seemingly anything that might trigger the car’s automatic anti-collision braking system.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
-
While road mentality might be one of Missouri’s biggest obstacles right now, the Tigers still have to focus on the opponent, too.—
Ally Schiepp,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plutarch earned 20 Kentucky Derby points, giving him 23, tied with Intrepido for third in the standings.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Cities tied to playoff teams also saw major spikes.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In court Friday, the judge agreed to allow Parente to release surveillance camera footage compiled by investigators in an attempt to prove Martinez was part of a larger coalition of resistors who were attempting to impede immigration agents during Midway Blitz.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Homan says in the past month, 158 people have been arrested for impeding or assaulting federal officers, with 85 cases already accepted for prosecution.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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