shackles 1 of 2

noun

plural of shackle
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shackles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shackle
1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampers
to create difficulty for the work or activity of shackled by poverty and ignorance

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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 shackles
Noun
After breaking the shackles of slavery, Haiti was forced to pay France an indemnity of 150 million francs in exchange for its recognition as a new nation. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026 Somehow, the models managed to slip out of their shackles and go on a mini hacking spree. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 29 July 2026 They were then arrested and taken to prison — while reportedly holding hands and sharing a kiss in shackles. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, entered the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in shackles and an orange jumpsuit. — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026 Burke entered the packed courtroom with shackles around his waist and, for a brief moment, seemed to smile shyly at the room. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026 D4vd, 21, appeared in court in an orange jail uniform and shackles. — Alex Stone, ABC News, 21 July 2026 Window smashed, put in shackles Carvajal-Muñoz was a legal resident. — Eric Adler july 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 Each lock is compact, compatible with most suitcase zippers, and engineered with alloy lock bodies, steel shackles, and tamper-proof designs that can’t be picked. — Emily Hochberg, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackles
  1. obstacle
  2. binds
  3. hampers
  4. hurdle
  5. chains
  6. hinders
  7. obstruction
  8. ties
Noun
  • For many commercial fleets, access to fueling has remained one of the biggest obstacles to adopting natural gas vehicles.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike Lake Michigan, debris and garbage settle along the riverbed and near the banks, forcing divers to search through sediment and obstacles while currents continue to move beneath the surface.
    — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • The drug binds to a pocket that forms only when KRAS carries one of these mutations.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • This then binds to specific serotonin receptors in the brain, which temporarily rebuilds the networks involved in memory, emotions and cognition interact.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of binds
Verb
  • Cybersecurity experts increasingly warn that restricting access to advanced AI models hampers defenders’ ability to identify vulnerabilities, test systems, and develop countermeasures.
    — James Marks, Fortune, 23 July 2026
  • Neighbors of the state park who have become accustomed to spontaneous visits found that the new system hampers their ability to make a last-minute trip.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Definition of hampers
Noun
  • When firefighters identify dangerous wildfire hazards, the solution shouldn’t be delayed by endless procedural hurdles.
    — Ruben Grijalva, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The deal faces hurdles over whether the Israeli or Hamas portion of the agreement should take place first, NPR's Franco Ordoñez tells Up First.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.
    — Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
  • Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Definition of chains
Verb
  • Ultimately, glorifying sleep deprivation is counterproductive; prioritizing sleep is key for career longevity and productivity, while chronic insomnia leads to impaired judgment and hinders professional growth.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Neptune retrograde hinders our intuition, leaving us lost in the fog.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of hinders
Noun
  • Tracey was arrested days after the incident and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.
    — Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, is charged separately with conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruction
Verb
  • The group ties Drake for the third-most leaders in the history of the roster.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The three homered in the same game for the fifth time this season, which according to Elias ties the major-league (10th time) and franchise (second time) records.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of ties

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Cite this Entry

“Shackles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackles. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shackles

Nglish: Translation of shackles for Spanish Speakers

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