trammel 1 of 2

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
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 Step 2: Measure and Cut Cubby Dividers 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 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, 28 July 2022 Join the top and drop leaf; then use a large trammel to mark the curved edge. Thomas Klenck, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2021 Make a trammel, or beam compass, that pivots on a 3⁄8-in. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021 Build the trammel out of 1⁄2-in.-thick plywood, mount the router on one end and install a straight bit. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021
Verb
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 The Patriots defense, which is on pace to break NFL records for most sacks and fewest points allowed, has trammeled and trampled opposing offenses, but the schedule keeps serving up red meat or raw quarterbacks for them to prey upon. BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2019 Now the area is brimming with new construction, and Ms. Medvedow, 63, is leading her institution into another less-trammeled area. New York Times, 22 June 2018 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 When applied to armed protests, that mindset takes our country to a dangerous place: The Second Amendment and state open carry laws cannot trammel the free speech rights of unarmed protesters and the necessity for law enforcement to keep the peace. Olivia Li, Slate Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trammel
Noun
  • The branches of the military, which maintain their own communication networks, have their own obstacles.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • For Superman, that means preventing any of the negatives that do initially arise from becoming obstacles or bandwagon narratives in the press.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • This obviously matters because billions of people use Google, meaning that AI Mode is bound to be highly trafficked.
    Nancy Marshall, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • But now the City Council has advanced a binding resolution using a power granted under City Charter for the first time ever.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Will this impede efforts to advance gender equality, especially in technology sectors?
    Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • But some of the worst economic effects will be felt by future generations, who, according to one Gen Zer interviewed by CNBC, are already concerned the deficit will impede their ability to collect social services.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • An 11th person has been charged with obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
    Dallas Morning News, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • Even after stopping at an intersection, drivers may need to crane their necks to see around obstructions such as trees, light poles or sign posts that block visibility.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • This small, daily action, tied to a routine cue, builds consistency, reduces reliance on motivation and strengthens willpower over time.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Newcomer The Studio season one just tied The Bear’s season-two comedy record with 23 nominations of its own.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • While the overall economic forecast remains ambiguous due to persistent worries regarding tariffs affecting major trading partners—which may incite inflation and hinder growth—Goldman is projected to gain from robust performance in its trading division.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Dry thunderstorms and gusty winds are hindering firefighting efforts and increasing fire risk.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Frequently the Swedes have been impressive in the early stages of tournaments only to fall at the final hurdle.
    Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • One of the biggest hurdles was the architecture of the building.
    Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • The fire was initially confined and contained, with multiple strategies employed to protect structures, facilities, and infrastructure.
    Colson Thayer, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • In one study, researchers induced postnatal stress in a mouse (confining her, forcing her to swim) and separated her from her pups at unpredictable intervals.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trammel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trammel. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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