shackle 1 of 2

shackle

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verb

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
Crusius, who appeared in court wearing a striped jumpsuit, shackles and a protective vest, will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole. Morgan Lee and Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025 Now, Weight Watchers isn’t exactly facing bankruptcy because people everywhere are suddenly looking inward and agreeing to throw off the shackles of compulsory thinness. Emma Specter, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Balmer arrived at the Harrisburg courtroom handcuffed and shackled. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025 Muzaffar said that he and his brother, Ali, were taken to a local base, where the soldiers shackled them to chairs and beat them with bamboo rods. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
  • Grads react as billionaire gives them $1,000: Watch video Yelp unveils its top 25 burger chains in the US: See the list Spotify reveals predictions for 30 top songs of summer 2025: See list Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Likewise, in the same sector, Kaufland and Lidl, two supermarket chains, are owned by the same family under the tutelage of the Schwarz Group, each specializing in specific market segments.
    Radu Magdin, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • But this latest exchange had a far less satisfying denouement: an uncertain military outcome and a diplomatic embarrassment, in the eyes of Modi’s nationalist base.
    Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
  • Houston has lost its last six against the Ravens, including last year’s 31-2 embarrassment on Christmas Day.
    Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • This limited time deal is bound to go quickly, especially because that amazing sale price includes three bedding pieces—not just the quilt itself.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
  • It must be asked not as condemnation, but as a doorway to deeper understanding—of her, of ourselves, and of the social and emotional architecture that keeps so many of us bound in silence, shame, and survival.
    Shayla Brown, Essence, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • This discrepancy hindered the adoption of BI, which might further damage AI by generating models that are trained with false assumptions and generate erroneous predictions.
    Artyom Keydunov, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Starring Frank Dillane, the film — which was already generating buzz before Cannes — follows a troubled but charming young man on the streets of London whose efforts to get his life in order are hindered by his own self-destructive tendencies.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • But make no mistake, one mother-of-pearl bracelet is not to be confused with another.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 18 May 2025
  • Nine West Tri-Tone and Crystal Set of 2 Bangle Bracelets $20 at Amazon Add a bit of sparkle to the graduation celebration with these two bangle bracelets.
    Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Players utilize a set of common rules -- that can be altered by the game master -- and dice to overcome obstacles as the group works to collaboratively tell a story.
    Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025
  • Perhaps the biggest obstacle to bilateral relations is Ms. Hasina, whom India refuses to hand over to Bangladesh to stand trial on charges of corruption and human rights abuses.
    Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Defined as stress or anxiety tied to past financial hardships, financial trauma does not always look like bankruptcy or foreclosure.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Which consumer loans could see higher rates Some loans could see more direct impacts because their rates are tied to bond prices.
    Annie Nova,Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The Justice Department announced charges against McIver on May 19 for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement related to an altercation at a Newark immigration facility.
    Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • The family attempted to lobby the state and local legislatures to ease up on regulations that impeded the fishing industry, and eventually the closure of their business. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The family eventually moved to Massachusetts.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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