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
In contrast, the Retire Sooner Method maintains the spirit of the pursuit of freedom without tethering itself to overly aggressive tactics.
—
Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
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
Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tethering
Verb
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Attendees enjoy live music, professional and instructional fly tying, casting clinics and demos.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
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That would be their 7-foot-4 unicorn Victor Wembanyama, who is 8-for-11 in the clutch so far this postseason, including his game-tying 28-footer in overtime of Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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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Lately, though, the president has upset religious conservatives by posting a Christ-like image of himself online as well as lashing out at Pope Leo and the Vatican.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Iran’s lashing out at Israel for the sake of Hezbollah carries major risks.—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tethering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tethering. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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