as in tying
to attach (someone or something) to something else by or as if by means of a line or cord
I tethered the boat to the dock before coming ashore.
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Recent Examples of tethering
Each spark tethering to the next, seamlessly flying without a net and yet somehow fully course-corrected.
—
Natasha Lyonne, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By tethering the livelihood of these workers to divisive debates over sanctuary policies, the Democrats have prioritized political optics over the basic welfare of the American worker.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Disrupting airports by tethering the pay of airport security screeners to the tumult of Washington politics is untenable.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The policy includes other restrictions as well, such as bans on tethering during weather advisories or at night.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Natasha Lyonne, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By tethering the livelihood of these workers to divisive debates over sanctuary policies, the Democrats have prioritized political optics over the basic welfare of the American worker.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Disrupting airports by tethering the pay of airport security screeners to the tumult of Washington politics is untenable.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The policy includes other restrictions as well, such as bans on tethering during weather advisories or at night.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tethering
Verb
-
Bichette dropped a flare into shallow center field out of the reach of converging defenders, allowing Torrens to score the tying run, and Benge to go to first.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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James would score two big goals in the series, a tying goal in the second period of Game 5 and the Lightning’s only goal in Game 7, on the power play.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The report has no binding value and is merely a synthesis of deliberations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
-
Hours later, Venus slips into sentimental Cancer, seducing the atmosphere with intuition, emotional waves and spell-binding fantasy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The whole episode, Kyle is a pendulum swinging between anger and sadness, between lashing out and injuring Amanda, and looking to be the victim.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
San José Mayor Matt Mahan started off the debate by lashing out at both Republicans and Democrats.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tethering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tethering. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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