1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together
the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bracelet
something that physically prevents free movement
chains on the prisoner's ankles
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
chaining up the dog in the backyard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole
the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chain
Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 June 2025
There was a lot of tut-tutting from some corners as G-III used to sell the brand in 450 Macy’s doors — but then again, even Macy’s doesn’t want to be in 450 of its doors and is whittling the chain down to its best locations.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 June 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
One tiger was found chained in a plaza during a shootout.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
From the classrooms of HBCUs to the drive-thrus of fast-food chains, stories of perseverance, purpose and pride swept across the nation.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 June 2025
There was a lot of tut-tutting from some corners as G-III used to sell the brand in 450 Macy’s doors — but then again, even Macy’s doesn’t want to be in 450 of its doors and is whittling the chain down to its best locations.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 12 June 2025
Verb
The measure directly responds to animal cruelty cases during prior storms, most notably a bull terrier left chained to a fence along Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
One tiger was found chained in a plaza during a shootout.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
The full sequence from take-off to crash—final moments of Air India 171 captured on CCTV.—
Hannah Parry
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
Take, for instance, a sequence in episode two, where the vigilantes known as The Boys have to fight the supe Splinter (Rob Benedict), who can clone himself.—
Esther Zuckerman,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2025
Noun
-
Existing Challenges While the impact of these types of fintechs is already significant, their work is not without its own set of obstacles, and several ongoing challenges remain.—
Murtaza Ali,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Raise the stakes, place insuperable obstacles before the protagonist, have the protagonist somehow surmount them while becoming braver and better.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
In 2021, for instance, the queen’s diamond bracelets sold for triple their initial estimate.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 June 2025
-
For Berger, one of the first people to spring to mind was Fiona Dourif, who plays Dr. Cassie McKay, a single mother with a mysterious ankle bracelet that hints at a past skirmish with the law.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Hoji added that people should get proper legal advice before signing contracts that bind them to some form of confidentiality.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 June 2025
-
The private key remains bound to the user device, where it can’t be extracted.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2025
Verb
-
What about you? Brody: Kristen Bell and I are connected in a few ways.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
9 June 2025
-
The protocol for selection has varied, sometimes rotating across multiple brothers of the same generation or jumping across family trees to cousins, but always theoretically connecting back to the same common ancestor: Jimmu.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Jammu in early June to inaugurate the first Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Kashmir, a route that passes through the world's highest Chenab Bridge and connects the region to New Delhi for the first time.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
Mangione continued, describing his train of thought in targeting a CEO who was set to attend an annual conference for investors.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Distribution: The Lingering Weak Link For all its strengths, Catalan animation still faces significant hurdles in distribution, especially at home.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
6 June 2025
-
Diagnosis Delays Hurt Women’s Outcomes Even before a clinical trial is an option, women face significant hurdles in getting a diagnosis.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
In the first game, the Dodgers and Astros were tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the 10th.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
-
The couple went on to tie the knot on Nov. 16, 2002, at the Ancient Spanish Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux in Miami, per The Knot.—
Alexandra Hurtado,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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