Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

trammel

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of trammel

something that makes movement or progress difficult
  • students and parents who want to throw off the trammels of outdated school policies
Synonyms of trammel

balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block
Words Related to trammel

catch, hitch, rub, snag

barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall

arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint

embargo, stoppage

delay, holdup, stall

burden, cumber, load

danger, hazard, peril, reef

adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
Near Antonyms of trammel

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus

advantage, break, edge

aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help

trammel

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of trammel

1 to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
  • He was trammeled by fear of failure.
Synonyms of trammel

bind, chain, enchain, fetter, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle
Words Related to trammel

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss

attach, fasten, join, link

confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede

limit, restrict

entangle, tangle
Near Antonyms of trammel

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue

undo, unfasten, untangle, untie

detach, disengage
Antonyms of trammel

unbind, unfetter, unshackle
2 to create difficulty for the work or activity of
  • The new paperwork requirements will only trammel us and lower our productivity.
Synonyms of trammel

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, stymie, tie up
Words Related to trammel

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain

bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie

arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard

barricade, block, blockade, roadblock

bog (down), mire

choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate

baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart

derail, disrupt, sabotage

muzzle, repress, suppress

confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
Phrases Synonymous with trammel

cramp one's style, give a hard time
Near Antonyms of trammel

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop

free, liberate, release, untie

loosen, smooth

encourage, further, promote
Antonyms of trammel

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Synonym Discussion of trammel

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.
    • hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate
trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
    • rules that trammel the artist's creativity
clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
    • a court system clogged by frivolous suits
fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
    • a nation fettered by an antiquated class system
shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.
    • a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
    • a people manacled by tyranny

Learn More about trammel

  1. See words that rhyme with trammel Dictionary: Definition of trammel Nglish: Translation of trammel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trammel for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up trammel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games