as in tying
to attach (someone or something) to something else by or as if by means of a line or cord
I tethered the boat to the dock before coming ashore.
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Recent Examples of tethering
The policy includes other restrictions as well, such as bans on tethering during weather advisories or at night.
—
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
It was designed to give employers leverage over foreign workers by tethering their immigration status to their job.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Those questions from reporters may soon be the last thing left tethering the President to at least some form of reality.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Just a few kilometers away, a black bear sniffs and studies the device tethering it to a tree.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the tethering process, his memories of the last year have been wiped, leaving only a man known as Red, a ruthless shadow and former contract killer for a cruel, mercurial billionaire.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Rather than tethering them to screens, students prototyped with cardboard, paper, and recycled materials.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
It was designed to give employers leverage over foreign workers by tethering their immigration status to their job.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Those questions from reporters may soon be the last thing left tethering the President to at least some form of reality.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
Just a few kilometers away, a black bear sniffs and studies the device tethering it to a tree.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the tethering process, his memories of the last year have been wiped, leaving only a man known as Red, a ruthless shadow and former contract killer for a cruel, mercurial billionaire.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2025
Rather than tethering them to screens, students prototyped with cardboard, paper, and recycled materials.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tethering
Verb
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Duah’s game-tying goal revved up the crowd and began a four-goal surge against Pumas UNAM of Mexico City.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Guard Luke Kennard, in just his third game with the team, scored 14 points in 28 minutes, tying Timme for the team lead.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Iranian officials in recent years had also been increasingly threatening that the Islamic Republic could seek the bomb, even while its diplomats have pointed to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s preachings as a binding fatwa, or religious edict, that Iran wouldn’t build one.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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Iranian officials in recent years had also been increasingly threatening that the Islamic Republic could seek the bomb, even while its diplomats have pointed to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s statments as a binding fatwa, or religious edict, that Iran wouldn’t build one.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The carnivorous mammal's teeth-baring image suggests a wilderness pushed to the margins and lashing out.—
Felicia Feaster,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Vance often has served as an attack dog for the administration, including lashing out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an Oval Office visit.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tethering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tethering. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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