1
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of shackle
Ben Adler, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Then Renée and her brilliant team came up with this, and Blake added all these shackles and stuff to it.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Abrego Garcia, who was shackled and wearing a red jumpsuit, was expected to be released Wednesday, if only into ICE custody.
—Travis Loller, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
When he was transferred to and from the hospital, he was handcuffed and kept in leg shackles and then moved to a different room, Nice said.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Then Renée and her brilliant team came up with this, and Blake added all these shackles and stuff to it.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
At a hearing on Thursday, Hipolito walked into court, limping and shackled in the same clothes he had been arrested in.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
Abrego Garcia, who was shackled and wearing a red jumpsuit, was expected to be released Wednesday, if only into ICE custody.
—Travis Loller, Fortune, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
-
Amazon’s past success with using Prime Day to drive sales and attract new members spurred other major retail chains to schedule competing sales in July.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Its over-the-shoulder chain instantly elevates any outfit, and the bag's rainbow tweed look is sophisticated, polished, and flirty all at once.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Our parade in Fort Lauderdale was a fitting tribute to a great hockey team, while Trump’s embarrassment of a parade was a fitting tribute to a failed presidency.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 June 2025
-
Indeed, President Trump will probably never appeal his executive order losses in lower courts to avoid the embarrassment of losing in the Supreme Court populated with three Trump appointees.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
She'd been bound and raped before she was wrapped in trash bags and put in the trash can.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
The Tennessean,
6 July 2025
-
There, you’re bound to find small and large treasures that will make a big impact on your cooking space.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
The list, created following a Trump executive order, aimed to identify jurisdictions hindering federal immigration laws and potentially withhold their funding.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
In addition to drying out the atmosphere, the dust also increases wind shear and atmospheric stability — two other key factors that can hinder storm formation.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
The biggest novelty is an articulated bracelet shaped like a toothbrush wrapped around the wrist, bristles akimbo as if already used.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
4 July 2025
-
Taylor Swift friendship bracelets When Taylor Swift brought her record-breaking Eras Tour to Indianapolis for three nights in November, the dinosaurs were ready to party in style with their very own friendship bracelets.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
These shifts signal a recognition that regulation is not an obstacle to progress but a critical enabler of responsible, adaptive innovation - especially when physically embedded in place.—
Kath Mackay,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Despite the obstacles, authorities from at least seven neighboring counties have followed countless tips in their hunt for Decker, with some leads running hot.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Given that the government generally does not do great things with its money, tying its spending priorities to debt service is probably a positive.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Joining him was David Lipsky, who made a clutch eagle on the par-5 17th to tie Grillo and Campbell at 18-under, but a costly bogey on 18 kept him out of the playoff.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Will this impede efforts to advance gender equality, especially in technology sectors?—
Lauren Buitta,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
But some of the worst economic effects will be felt by future generations, who, according to one Gen Zer interviewed by CNBC, are already concerned the deficit will impede their ability to collect social services.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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