as in ties
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 tethers
Secrets that could take down a company, an industry; that's a bond that tethers you for life.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The nature of my work tethers me to London.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 23 Aug. 2025
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The nature of my work tethers me to London.
—Rohan Banerjee, Time, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tethers
Verb
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Ratcliffe’s comments align with the arguments made by Britain’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, which ties its anti-immigrant message to protecting the country.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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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,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Selenium binds to protein, so protein-rich foods are usually high in this mineral.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
11 Feb. 2026
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Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tethers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tethers. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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