bound and gagged

phrase

: with hands and feet tied and something (such as a piece of cloth) put into or over the mouth
The hostages were found bound and gagged.

Examples of bound and gagged in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The homes had been burglarized and the women had been raped at knifepoint and beaten; some were also bound and gagged. Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bound and gagged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bound%20and%20gagged. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster