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
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Musk’s crime to assist Brad Schimel has already been committed, and if Elon Musk sets foot in Wisconsin, he should be placed in handcuffs and held accountable—just like any other criminal.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
So Mamie handcuffs her and puts her on the back of her horse.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
When his wife arrived, finding her husband in handcuffs, an agent told her that his immigration status had changed and he was being taken away.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Musk’s crime to assist Brad Schimel has already been committed, and if Elon Musk sets foot in Wisconsin, he should be placed in handcuffs and held accountable—just like any other criminal.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Federal agents handcuffed the driver, while Rochester police handcuffed other people removed from the van, according to WXXINews.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
So Mamie handcuffs her and puts her on the back of her horse.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Opioids like tramadol, oxycodone, morphine, and buprenorphine bind to pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals and provide pain relief.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Apr. 2025
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Since the start of Trump’s second term, Doral, which leans conservative on voting rolls, has been caught in a political and humanitarian bind.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After a stunning Game 1 blowout followed by a defensive struggle out of the 1990s, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves playoff series will relocate to the Twin Cities, tied 1-1.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
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The platform, formerly known as Twitter Inc., posted $91 million in revenue tied to data licensing and subscriptions in February, a 30% increase from a year earlier, according to materials shared with investors related to a new debt sale.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The department in January ordered prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges any state or local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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In a January memo, the department instructed prosecutors to consider criminal charges against state and local authorities who obstruct or impede federal operations.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rabbi Anne wears a keepsake from her grandfather — a metal thimble that dangles from a silver chain around her neck.—
Hollace Ava Weiner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2025
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The broken bangle was remade into something else entirely: a smooth, curved jade pendant attached to a 22-karat gold chain.—
Sadiya Ansari Spandita Malik,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The dissatisfaction simmered for years, hampering efforts to combine the automakers fully.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Leaders worldwide are promoting minimal AI regulation to drive innovation and avoid hindering growth.—
Art Gilliland,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Being smart with money now, as well as brand building, is crucial to making sure your on-the-field duties are not hindered.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Will they be shackled and hooded, shuffled off to some far-away detention center and then flown to a foreign country willing to warehouse America’s politically undesirables for a hefty fee?—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Next, he was taken to an airport, shackled, and flown to a detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana.—
Eric Levenson and Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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O’Neil had shown a more ruthless streak in dealing with Lemina, stripping the midfielder of the captaincy after those embarrassing post-match scenes at West Ham.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Punk proceeded to beatdown and embarrass McIntyre, leading to Priest cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and winning the title from McIntyre.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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