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
One woman, who spoke with the Miami Herald on the phone from Honduras, said she and fellow detainees were left in shackles and chains on buses overnight, so long that some urinated on themselves. Claire Healy, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025 Mangione ended up appearing sock-less at the court appearance, with shackles around his ankles. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
Mangione appeared calm inside the Manhattan courtroom with his feet shackled, wearing a tan prison jumpsuit. Adam Sabes , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Cannabis, however, is still shackled by federal prohibition. Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
  • The Wegmans grocery chain has also improved the customer experience by using the GS1 Digital Link.
    Benjamin Claeys, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What To Know While Walgreens operates roughly 8,500 stores nationwide, the pharmacy and drug store chain has closed about 2,000 locations over the past decade.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The press had assembled to watch Earhart soar, and instead witnessed an embarrassment.
    Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • King, whose chapter represents Treasury employees in the D.C. area, accused the national union of just hoping the internal problem goes away, and instead the issue is creating an embarrassment.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • However, most brands are unwilling to pay that premium, which leaves creators undervalued and legally bound to work that continues to generate brand ROI long after payment has cleared.
    Kristen Bousquet, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Many foliage are pot bound and need a new but slightly larger container. 76.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • He has been charged with a collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • However, incomplete knowledge of prolonged symptoms experienced after a young child’s own SARS-CoV-2 infection hinders prevention and treatment of LC in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
    Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Related Stories Cyrus adorned the sleek, cult-favorite ballet flat with two dainty gold ankle bracelets, one worn on each foot.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 May 2025
  • The oldest of the three, wearing bracelets and rings on all fingers, held a framed photo of her mother dressed in an Army uniform.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.
    Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The investment fund tied to the Qatari state has spent billions on the operations and players.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The affair did not impede Smotrich’s ascent as a settler activist and politician.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
  • Any action that impedes these dynamics should be flatly rejected because unnecessarily regulating a competitive marketplace will only harm consumers.
    Michael Santorelli, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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