1
as in binding
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampering
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 shackling
The Baltimore region has suffered too long from underinvestment in transit services — which is shackling economic growth, harming the environment and constraining quality of life for families.
—
Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
In Wisconsin, a bill that would restrict shackling inmates while in labor — something most states already ban — has repeatedly failed to pass the state Legislature.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Brandon Scott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.
—Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
In Wisconsin, a bill that would restrict shackling inmates while in labor — something most states already ban — has repeatedly failed to pass the state Legislature.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC news, 18 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackling
Verb
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But a binding point of view remains frustratingly elusive, suggesting the material might have been better served by a three-part limited series.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
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Such black holes would be extremely hard to spot and thus might account for some or all of the universe’s dark matter—an invisible, lightless something that seems to act like gravitational glue, binding together galaxies and galaxy clusters.—
Jonathan O'Callaghan,
Scientific American,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Deep mistrust among some people in the town is hampering response efforts to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus — for which there is no vaccine.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 2026
Verb
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But as the old saw has it, a lie goes round the world while the truth is tying its bootlaces.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The second quarter started with a bang, with BC High tying it back up at three right off the faceoff.—
Erik Anderson,
Boston Herald,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Over the years, the number of cars parking near the bridge — often illegally, sometimes impeding emergency vehicles — has risen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Advertisement More than 600 defendants were accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers during the riot, and nearly 175 were accused of using dangerous or deadly weapons.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2026
Verb
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However, video footage captured at the event and obtained by The Star seems to show officers pinning teens to the ground, handcuffing at least one.—
Ilana Arougheti
June 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
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Cellphone video showed officers handcuffing and pressing him against an unmarked sedan, with his forehead bloodied.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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This structural debt was hindering basic operations and the company’s ability to serve customers, especially as clients’ technology needs evolve.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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There are reports that China may have provided Iran with access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system, significantly improving the accuracy of Iran’s missiles and drones and hindering any effort to jam or spoof them.—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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But the black, confining nunnery space reminds a bit of some medieval dungeon.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
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Cages were originally for holding birds or other animals, and then, by extension, for confining and punishing humans.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Articles of impeachment were brought against him on two counts, for allegedly abusing his power through his dealings with Zelenskyy and then allegedly obstructing the House’s investigation into the matter.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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Ouellet faces charges of domestic violence, obstructing the report of a crime or injury and possession of a deadly weapon.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shackling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackling. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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