as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampers
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
shackled by poverty and ignorance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shackles
Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Police said shackles that belonged to Meade, along with Mauney’s dogs, were found in the cabin.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Varoff entered the courtroom wearing an orange jail inmate uniform with handcuffs on his wrists linked to shackles around his waist.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Now manumitted from the shackles of Musk leadership, Zelikman is imagining an AI beyond such chatbots as Grok.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Investigators found that the shackles on Shane were removed so medical staff could perform an X-ray.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
This is about shaking off the shackles of those one-size-fits-all limitations.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Free yourself from those stinking shackles!
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Even one of the greatest ever to play this game, Joe Root, could not work out how to break free of the 36-year-old’s shackles here, failing to score a single run off him for 23 balls in a row before finally yielding to the python-like grip when missing one that homed in on his pads.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
The administration’s official social-media feeds pump out far-right xenophobic memes and celebrate deportations with ASMR videos of undocumented immigrants in shackles.
—Donald Moynihan, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Police said shackles that belonged to Meade, along with Mauney’s dogs, were found in the cabin.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Varoff entered the courtroom wearing an orange jail inmate uniform with handcuffs on his wrists linked to shackles around his waist.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Now manumitted from the shackles of Musk leadership, Zelikman is imagining an AI beyond such chatbots as Grok.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Investigators found that the shackles on Shane were removed so medical staff could perform an X-ray.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
This is about shaking off the shackles of those one-size-fits-all limitations.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Free yourself from those stinking shackles!
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026
Even one of the greatest ever to play this game, Joe Root, could not work out how to break free of the 36-year-old’s shackles here, failing to score a single run off him for 23 balls in a row before finally yielding to the python-like grip when missing one that homed in on his pads.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackles
Noun
-
When the car finally got moving, protesters began throwing obstacles in its path — Lime scooters, bicycles, seemingly anything that might trigger the car’s automatic anti-collision braking system.—
Evan Minsker,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
-
While road mentality might be one of Missouri’s biggest obstacles right now, the Tigers still have to focus on the opponent, too.—
Ally Schiepp,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Injected semaglutide binds to these GLP-1 receptors and reduces appetite for nearly a week, ultimately causing people to eat less and lose weight.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol and prevents it from being absorbed into the bloodstream.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Part of the advertising hurdle with the beach experience is getting guests to understand its value as a shore excursion rather than compared to Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is included in cruise fares.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Jerusalem — The first week of the partial reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt was marked by confusion, and logistical hurdles, according to Palestinians attempting to cross and multiple sources who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Puig, 35, was found guilty of obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators following a nearly two-week trial in downtown Los Angeles.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Puig faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison on the obstruction of justice charge and up to five years in prison for the two false statement charges.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration, and utilities will use a three-year rate plan.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The quarterback’s current contract ties him to the Chiefs through the 2031 season, but there may never be a better time to renegotiate and create a new contract — a move that would theoretically allow the team to reset Mahomes’ cap numbers entirely.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shackles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackles. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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