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
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
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
Officers repeatedly shocked him with a Taser, dragged him by his ankle shackles and then left him face down in the road.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025
Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
In a country shackled and scarred by race, religion, gender, and class, much of that rationalized and reified by mainline American churches, the Disciples were genial revolutionists offering inclusion, education, and empowerment for those at the margins.
—Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
For the Minnesota Wild general manager, those frustrating fiscal shackles come off on July 1.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
Officers repeatedly shocked him with a Taser, dragged him by his ankle shackles and then left him face down in the road.
—Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
Read Next Texas Mom wakes from 2-month coma shackled to bed, accused of killing son, TX suit says
May 21, 2025 3:55 PM
Read Next
National
Babysitter kills friend’s 1-year-old son, Ohio officials say.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
In a country shackled and scarred by race, religion, gender, and class, much of that rationalized and reified by mainline American churches, the Disciples were genial revolutionists offering inclusion, education, and empowerment for those at the margins.
—Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
-
The chain also announced a new Chipotle Hash Brown Wake-Up Wrap is joining the menu.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
In the latest twist, Shooter McGavin (the rival to Sandler’s Happy) gets to be the official spokesperson for the Happy Gilmore Meal, which is an actual offering going on sale at the chain later this summer.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Who’s to blame for the embarrassment that has become Lincoln Yards?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
The problem with toughing it out alone, though, is that a lot of people will continue to isolate themselves for weeks, Brown says, whether out of embarrassment, fear, or pride.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
Three days later, the girls’ bodies were discovered with plastic bags over their heads and their hands bound at Rock Island Campground, police said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
-
An Amtrak Northeast Regional train bound for Boston was evacuated on Monday after passengers were stranded for more than an hour in a dark tunnel near Baltimore's Penn Station without power and air conditioning.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
However, rather than hindering its movement, this feature is actually an adaptation that enhances its ability to survive in a diverse range of North American habitats.—
Smithsonian magazine,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 June 2025
-
And continuing to avoid important financial conversations when a child returns home as an adult can further hinder a boomerang child's ability to navigate future financial decisions, Gonzalez says.—
Natalie Wu,
CNBC,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
One of her own favorite pieces, is a version of the Pottering Around bracelet made with Swiss river stones, rather than the original smoky quartz and Indonesian jasper.—
Kate Matthams,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Some of our favorites included the summer-ready dresses and kaftans, which pair perfectly with the signature accessories, such as wrap bracelets and beaded baubles.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Listen to this article The path back to the pinnacle was littered with obstacles.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
-
But there’s a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals.—
Lisa Klaassen,
CNN Money,
20 June 2025
Verb
-
The pair will tie the knot in Venice, Italy, later this week.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
24 June 2025
-
Around 61% of workers say that the climb up the corporate ladder feels outdated, with Gen Z and millennials just about tied at 65% and 62% respectively.—
Brit Morse,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Verb
-
The indictment, announced earlier this month, accuses McIver of three counts: two felonies for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers—each carrying up to eight years in prison—and a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
-
This month she was indicted on three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share