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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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 shackles
Noun
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 On June 24, Serrano was put on a plane in shackles and flown from Miami to Caracas. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 Given the cameras in the courtroom, his defense argued – much like lawyers have in Tyler Robinson’s case in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk – that his appearance in shackles and a prison outfit could influence potential jurors. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 Both managers could take the shackles off as both teams need a win to give themselves a chance of qualifying. — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 27 June 2026 Haiti is the world’s first Black independent republic after African slaves defeated Napoleon’s army and broke the shackles of slavery. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 June 2026 The National Historic Park now displays chains and shackles in concrete along with information about the area's history. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026 His Department of Homeland Security regularly posts photos of people being deported, emphasizing and celebrating their shackles. — Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026 In some ways this is like many postcolonial nations in the Global South, although Norway’s claims to being a postcolonial country recently freed from the shackles of foreign domination are difficult to sustain in the face of its treatment of indigenous people like the Sámi. — Ola Morris Innset, The Dial, 2 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackles
  1. obstacle
  2. binds
  3. hampers
  4. hurdle
  5. chains
  6. hinders
  7. obstruction
  8. ties
Noun
  • Despite the obstacles, families will be moving into the two units within the next few weeks and will be able to stay for as long as necessary.
    — Julianna Mejia July 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • Any effort to federalize or take over elections would face serious legal obstacles, said Nahal Kazemi, a Chapman University law professor.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Sincere thanks and reciprocation are part of the glue that binds us in human relationships.
    — Mark Schroeder, The Conversation, 15 July 2026
  • Anyone who has sat through a mandatory team-building exercise knows the difference between a ritual that binds and a program that irritates.
    — Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026
Definition of binds
Verb
  • 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
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of hampers
Noun
  • Yet another hurdle is Chicago Parking Meters itself, which has threatened to sue the city if the council doesn’t approve the Stonepeak deal.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
  • For instance, non-invasive EEG systems generally capture weaker and noisier signals than implanted brain devices, making accuracy and reliability critical hurdles.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 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
  • Such realism, buttressed by frank discussions of perimenopause and other facts of midlife, helps rather than hinders the show’s ability to transport.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 2026
  • This misalignment generates contradictory messages, hinders decision-making and ultimately creates confusion throughout the organization.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of hinders
Noun
  • Land's End is one of the best places on mainland Britain to watch the eclipse because of its vast Atlantic horizon and minimal obstruction toward the west-northwest.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 July 2026
  • Frequently check for obstructions in the material, like staples or screws, and keep two hands on the saw to improve control and stability.
    — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Definition of obstruction
Verb
  • And a pair of overalls really ties together any outfit within seconds — whether layered over a tank top or tee for summer or a sweater for fall.
    — Olivia Dubyak, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
  • The best player of the previous decade, the link that ties Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols to Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, has not taken an All-Star at-bat this decade.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on shackles

Nglish: Translation of shackles for Spanish Speakers

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