as in bind
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 binds
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 hampers
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 handcuffs
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Silva-Parucho, whose handcuffs were ordered to be removed before his hearing began, broke into elated sobs as the judge read the order releasing him.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Thompson, who did not speak publicly in court, was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Wide receiver Mack Hollins arrived in a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and Hannibal Lecter-esque mask.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
He can be seen through the back driver's side window being led away in handcuffs.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2026
Rojas spent his first 10 days at El Helicoide in handcuffs.
—Miami Herald, 7 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
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
Omar Kelly
august 19, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Thompson, who did not speak publicly in court, was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Silva-Parucho, whose handcuffs were ordered to be removed before his hearing began, broke into elated sobs as the judge read the order releasing him.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Thompson, who did not speak publicly in court, was led away in handcuffs after the sentencing.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Wide receiver Mack Hollins arrived in a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and Hannibal Lecter-esque mask.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
He can be seen through the back driver's side window being led away in handcuffs.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 7 Feb. 2026
Rojas spent his first 10 days at El Helicoide in handcuffs.
—Miami Herald, 7 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
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
Verb
But this unit is two plays — or better yet, two injuries — from being a disaster that handcuffs Miami’s offense, like last year’s unit did, after Grier laughed at the media for its concern about fragile state of the 2024 O-line.
—Omar Kelly
august 19, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuffs
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Selenium binds to protein, so protein-rich foods are usually high in this mineral.—
Carrie Madormo,
Verywell Health,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Tate is the connective tissue who binds all those parts together.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
To address this, Ivo uses a multi-step pipeline that chains together more than 400 model calls for each contract review.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Tokyo Central is owned by Japanese company Pan Pacific Retail Management, which also runs the grocery chains Gelson’s and Don Quijote.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Ratcliffe’s comments align with the arguments made by Britain’s right-wing populist Reform UK party, which ties its anti-immigrant message to protecting the country.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration, and utilities will use a three-year rate plan.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Infliction of pain and suffering as a consequence for a person’s actions impedes health brain development through the release of stress hormones, research shows.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
-
When enforcement activity impedes the rights to assemble, document and criticize government action, that chills those rights, and the consequences extend beyond any single demonstration.—
Yohuru Williams,
The Conversation,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuffs. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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