TRAMMEL Synonyms: 172 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

trammel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of trammel next

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult students and parents who want to throw off the trammels of outdated school policies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

trammel

2 of 2

verb

ˈtra-məl

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains years after his death, she was still trammeled by inconsolable grief for her deceased husband

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the new paperwork requirements will only trammel us and lower our productivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Join the top and drop leaf; then use a large trammel to mark the curved edge. —

Thomas Klenck, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2021

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 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 winner in November will lead the country's most populous state, facing a large deficit and other obstacles, including the state's high cost of living, homelessness and wildfire risk.

— Marisa Lagos, NPR, 6 June 2026
Despite the ongoing ups and downs of the housing market, including economic cycles and affordability obstacles including post-pandemic high interest rates, low inventory, and soaring prices, women – particularly Millennials – have continued to show resiliency.

— Kathy Collins, Fortune, 6 June 2026