as in bind
usually handcuffs plural
something that physically prevents free movement
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handcuff
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
During the encounter, Morales-Ramirez refused to follow officers' commands, attempted to put his vehicle into drive and resisted arrest by pushing the officers and grabbing their handcuffs, prosecutors said.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
At least one person who had an anti-ICE message on clothing was handcuffed while face-down on the ground.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
On a humid summer night in Lake Worth Beach, Griffin Ingerson was trying to give a woman and children water when a deputy put him in handcuffs.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
During the encounter, Morales-Ramirez refused to follow officers' commands, attempted to put his vehicle into drive and resisted arrest by pushing the officers and grabbing their handcuffs, prosecutors said.
—Sergio Candido, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The attorneys said that when ICE detained several men near Vail last month, agents pulled them over and handcuffed them without warrants and without asking them any questions.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
At least one person who had an anti-ICE message on clothing was handcuffed while face-down on the ground.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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The order put Tri-State in a bind to figure out how to comply after years of planning to close the 45-year-old plant.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Plutarch earned 20 Kentucky Derby points, giving him 23, tied with Intrepido for third in the standings.—
Jay Posner,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Cities tied to playoff teams also saw major spikes.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dozens of felony cases against protesters accused of assaulting or impeding federal officers have also crumbled.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Along with this comes a lack of awareness about eating disorders, stigma and unhealthy attitudes and assumptions toward mental health from coaches and other athletic personnel, all of which can impede an athlete’s likelihood of seeking care.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But as coffee has taken off in China, traditionally a tea-drinking market, Starbucks has run into a slew of competitors from boutique cafes to chains such as Cotti Coffee and Manner — which often sell drinks at half the price as Starbucks.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
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As of Friday morning, the 99 Ranch Market, one of the largest Asian supermarket chains with 54 stores across 10 states including California, was boarded up and closed to the public.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Efforts to pass broader AI regulations have failed in recent years, as lawmakers worried that too much regulation could hinder the state’s burgeoning innovation efforts and scare companies away the state.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
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Whereas Apollo space suits were akin to wearing an inflated balloon that greatly hindered motion, the AxEMU is designed with flexible joints that give astronauts mobility to kneel, jog or even do the splits.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But century bonds make more sense for institutions like university endowments or governments expected to stick around for generations.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The Fort Worth city council unanimously approved sending an $845 million bond package to voters for the May 2 municipal elections.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As he was being led, cuffed and shackled, out of the courtroom, Mangione turned to the gallery and spoke.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
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Men are often the ones in those ICE facilities who are shackling and chaining detainees.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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