trammel 1 of 2

Definition of trammelnext

trammel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trammel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trammel are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, and shackle. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

In what contexts can clog take the place of trammel?

The meanings of clog and trammel largely overlap; however, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is it sensible to use fetter instead of trammel?

Although the words fetter and trammel have much in common, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When is hamper a more appropriate choice than trammel?

The words hamper and trammel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

How is shackle related to other words for trammel?

Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trammel
Noun
In the middle of the Mediterranean, off the coast of the island nation of Malta, a professional fisherman dropped his trammel net into the water. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 The moment comes right before America Ferrera’s big monologue about the trammels of womanhood, when Robbie soliloquizes, too, about the loss of her self-esteem. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Use trammel points to mark a rounded edge (an arc with a 7-1/2-inch radius) on three 6-1/2 x 19-inch boards. Lucy Fitzgerald, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024
Verb
The Constitution and the law are only more to be revered because they are being trammeled. Literary Hub, 26 Nov. 2025 Children arrive into a trammeling grid of haves and have-nots set up long before their birth, a net that individual struggles serve only to tighten. Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 Diggs was trammeled by knee issues throughout 2023 as the 26-year-old was sidelined for 15 games after tearing his left ACL. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 The Founders gave an independent judiciary the responsibility of preventing the other branches from trammeling fundamental liberties of citizens. oregonlive, 23 Jan. 2020 Those federal laws, along with state and local equivalents, provide broad and effective remedies for unequal pay without trammeling the hiring process. Gerald Skoning, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trammel
Noun
  • But even Johnson is not immune to the bruising consequences of dealing with a president who critics say treats Congress as an obstacle, instead of an equal — frequently flexing his power through executive orders.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Its binding values of labor and community remain relevant, even if today’s Hollywood rarely speaks to them.
    Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • Against a multi-million-dollar realization gap that compounds across years, the investment in capability is rarely the binding constraint.
    Michael Lukianoff, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • The investigation also compliments previous claims that CCC’s regulations impede coastal infrastructure projects, which has drawn criticism from multiple political fronts over the last year.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
  • Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Amber Moree, 21, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder, obstruction of justice and misprision, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Competing in his third World Cup, Kane had tied Lineker’s decades-old record last week with two goals in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia to open the 2026 tournament.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026
  • Bravo, the diaspora director at the foreign ministry, told CNN that the Peruvian government’s hands are tied.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • However, there are still some hurdles to surmount, particularly financing.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 27 June 2026
  • Here’s how experts suggest overcoming these hurdles.
    Jenna Ryu, Washington Post, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • Traditional entertainment journalists, however, were largely confined to public events and lacked similar direct access, underscoring a significant shift in how studios engage with media and promote their content.
    Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • And for the second straight day, those winners were confined to the two Fantasy 5 drawings.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trammel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trammel. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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