SHACKLE Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'shackle' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog , fetter , hamper , manacle , and trammel . While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom. // a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice // a people manacled by tyranny

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clog' instead of 'shackle'?

Although the words clog and shackle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering. // a court system clogged by frivolous suits

Q: When is 'fetter' a more appropriate choice than 'shackle'?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost. // a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

Q: When might 'hamper' be a better fit than 'shackle'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle , hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence. // hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

Q: When would 'trammel' be a good substitute for 'shackle'?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net. // rules that trammel the artist's creativity

shackle 1 of 2

noun

ˈsha-kəl

Definition of shackle

as in chain

something that physically prevents free movement placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

shackle

2 of 2

verb

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

as in to hinder

to create difficulty for the work or activity of shackled by poverty and ignorance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shackle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

When is it sensible to use clog instead of shackle?

Although the words clog and shackle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is fetter a more appropriate choice than shackle?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might hamper be a better fit than shackle?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When would trammel be a good substitute for shackle?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

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 shackle

Noun

One of the more memorable instances finds Cole grabbing an open padlock off a door and using it to belt an opponent across the face before hooking the shackle into the dude’s mouth and using it to rip open his cheek. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 Opening statements by defense Anthony's defense attorney, Russell Wilson, opened by requesting that Anthony be removed from his shackles, which Chitty approved. — Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

Its citizens held slaves, some of whom were shackled for committing adultery. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 There is nothing just about shackling people that have never committed a crime. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shackle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle

Noun

This local chain is one of the most reliably affordable meals in the LA area that also happens to be consistently delicious.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
As a ubiquitous fixture across the country, the chain provides a familiar, predictable environment that makes millions of members feel instantly at home.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of chain

Noun

Even an Impractical Joker, after hundreds of public challenges and punishments designed to push the limits of embarrassment, could still tense up when a cellphone camera caught him experimenting with a new bit.

— Antonio Ferme, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
There was once an NFL team with an embarrassment of talent amassed on its roster.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Verb

Whole lives are neatly bound in tidy language, conveyed within the confines of a page or two.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
An interplanetary human race seemed only decades away, and TV was bound to explore the possibilities, though both British and American networks felt that science fiction didn’t appeal to audiences.

— Neil Oseman, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

The researchers said as warming winters bring more precipitation as rain and less as snow, that could hinder efforts to replenish groundwater.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
However, in a person with PCD, those threadlike structures can beat abnormally, hindering airway clearance and contributing to recurrent respiratory infections.

— Molly Finlay, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

Hoops, versatile dual sided earrings, drop styles and ear cuffs take your look to the next level with a beautiful necklace and serpent cuff bracelet to add the finishing touches.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
As for accessories, Wood wore a chainlink necklace with a gold ring pendant, along with a bracelet and coordinated rings.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of bracelet

Noun

The biggest obstacle to adoption, Kato said, is change management.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Charlotte leaders on Monday lambasted the state as a bad faith partner but indicated the financial pressure campaign might be an insurmountable obstacle.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Verb

Alonso tied the score in the ninth inning Tuesday with his 300th career homer and took a rare curtain call on the road to acknowledge adoring Mets fans still unhappy about his departure for Baltimore last December.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
His conviction at trial was based almost entirely on the victim’s ID; there was no forensic or other evidence tying him to the crime.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
After injuries hampered his senior season, Bass-Moore encouraged her son to finish his final year of high school and not enroll early at Notre Dame.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of hamper

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shackle

shackled

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Style

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of shackle

noun

verb

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