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
Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The footage released by police ends as officers work to remove his handcuffs.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
For the nest two years, images of a child shackled and handcuffed in an orange jail jumpsuit and media coverage chronicled the case.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
The footage also showed a man on the ground in handcuffs who appeared to be grinning, the outlet reported.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
The footage released by police ends as officers work to remove his handcuffs.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
Officers eventually handcuffed him.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 20 Mar. 2026
For the nest two years, images of a child shackled and handcuffed in an orange jail jumpsuit and media coverage chronicled the case.
—Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
-
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
-
That tension has placed Kelly in an increasingly precarious bind.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This was only the fourth 20-rebound game of his career; the 21 boards tied a career high.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Just a couple of months later, another dog was found at the airport; this time, the dog was found tied to a pole in the short-term parking garage.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What personal demons will impede the hunt for a killer?—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Among other things, the plaintiffs argue ingress via Billings Road should not be impeded or limited to La Cantera residents.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now, the local chain is preparing to anchor itself in one of the city’s most visible — and long-dormant — building.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Unleaded gasoline and diesel fuels were mixed in error at a Meijer Express fuel station in Macomb County, Michigan, the supermarket chain said Saturday.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Garland died in 1969, of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, but the tragedy did not hamper Minnelli’s ascent.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
His ability to hold runners has hampered him.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a particularly craven twist, this letter enlisted the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause to halt or hinder affinity programming in schools.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
-
State investigators say federal authorities have blocked them from accessing evidence, hindering a possible use-of-force investigation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Japan’s two-year government bond yield climbed to its highest level since 1996, while five-year yields hit a record, as expectations build for a near-term Bank of Japan rate hike.—
John Cheng,
Bloomberg,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Kendra Duggar was released on bond and scheduled to return to court on April 29.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lindsay staggered around, shackled by heroin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
For the nest two years, images of a child shackled and handcuffed in an orange jail jumpsuit and media coverage chronicled the case.—
Scott Butler,
Florida Times-Union,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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