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
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The department spokesperson reaffirmed allegations that Barranco swung a weed whacker at agents and resisted commands and handcuffs.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
That included Americans who have been handcuffed, held at gunpoint or simply prevented from leaving their location.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Smovzh in handcuffs, flanked by masked officers – was published on the US Border Patrol’s official Instagram account.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The department spokesperson reaffirmed allegations that Barranco swung a weed whacker at agents and resisted commands and handcuffs.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the footage, a line of SFPD officers appears to separate onlookers from the federal agents as Lopez-Jimenez is handcuffed and detained.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
That included Americans who have been handcuffed, held at gunpoint or simply prevented from leaving their location.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
The tannins in coffee bind to non-heme iron (the type found in most supplements) and form complexes that are difficult for your body to absorb.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The bread bakery that sits in the middle If stores aren’t willing to raise prices, that puts wholesalers in a bind.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Before the game, the Wizards were tied with the Indiana Pacers for the worst team in the league, but by the end of the night the bottom spot was theirs alone.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Trailing by three after a disastrous first period, the Sharks got goals from Nick Leddy and Macklin Celebrini in the second period, and a nifty third-period goal from Alex Wennberg to tie the game and bring the capacity crowd at SAP Center to life.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Castle has become nearly impossible to impede.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Set the scene The latest ultra-luxury hotel chain to land in Greece, and the newest milestone in the ritzy revival of the Athenian Riviera.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Through a red chain-link curtain is a back room containing the likes of Screw, Al Goldstein’s erotic tabloid from the sixties and seventies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Noem's contract review policy disproportionately hindered FEMA, which awards massive contracts and funds disaster aid projects that frequently exceed $100,000.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The proposal reflects broader concerns Republicans have about regulation and permitting hindering economic development, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained during a speech at the Hill and Valley Forum on Wednesday.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Jail records show Kendra Duggar was bailed from the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas on March 20 on a $1,470 bond.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After the plan is shared, the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee will bring recommendations to the school board for a bond election for capital improvements.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prisoners were shackled to the walls, tortured and often confined to airless, windowless punishment cells.—
Tamara Hinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
-
When their transport convoy is ambushed, the two are forced to run while being shackled to each other and need to work together to reach their destination alive and on time.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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