1
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Written by Evan Cooper, the film finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
His Department of Homeland Security regularly posts photos of people being deported, emphasizing and celebrating their shackles.
—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi.
—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Verb
According to the lawsuit, four days after ZOR arrived at the facility, ICE officers shackled him and drove him to the Mexican border.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Written by Evan Cooper, the film finds five convicts trying to escape through the mountains following a violent train robbery, while shackled together by foot.
—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
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Meanwhile, his younger brother opted for a more casual look, donning a white tank top, jeans, a leather belt, and a dangling chain, just a month after attending the Dior Cruise Show in Los Angeles on May 13.
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Fatty acids are long chains of carbon surrounded by hydrogen atoms.
Noun
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Sitting around a table in the soundstage where the pilot for I Love Lucy was filmed, the six of them tailored the roles to the actors and infused the script with arguments, embarrassments, and confessions from their own relationships.
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In 1952, Sarris’ teenage mother gave him up for adoption, her family hoping to evade the embarrassment of their Jewish daughter becoming pregnant by a Native American Filipino man.
Verb
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Its binding values of labor and community remain relevant, even if today’s Hollywood rarely speaks to them.
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Against a multi-million-dollar realization gap that compounds across years, the investment in capability is rarely the binding constraint.
Verb
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Officials said Friday that a group of 50 volunteers had joined the effort to look for Kinney along the banks of the lake, adding that on-and-off rain hindered the search, according to WSAZ.
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Soaking cherry seeds helps remove the pulp, preventing rot that can hinder germination.
Noun
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The prize is a bracelet with various charms representing FIFA competitors and their host countries.
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The company’s website lists the bracelet to retail for $220.
Noun
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There was an element of cynicism, but not on the part of determined prosecutors who overcame obstacles and brought the case to guilty pleas by three defendants and the conviction on 21 counts of the public official who ignited the scandal.
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But obstacles veered her away from art for years.
Verb
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Competing in his third World Cup, Kane had tied Lineker’s decades-old record last week with two goals in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia to open the 2026 tournament.
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Bravo, the diaspora director at the foreign ministry, told CNN that the Peruvian government’s hands are tied.
Verb
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The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
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Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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