hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations
Examples of handcuff in a Sentence
Noun
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Verb
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
Brown was seen in handcuffs after the incident, but Miami Police confirmed that no arrests were made that evening.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2025
Arizona Department of Public Safety were seen in another clip handcuffing the man and taking him into custody.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
Shortly after, an agent can be seen with one man in handcuffs calmly standing against the fence, while Ramirez can be heard shouting and being wrestled to the ground.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
Brown was seen in handcuffs after the incident, but Miami Police confirmed that no arrests were made that evening.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 13 June 2025
Verb
Thursday, Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated those points at a Los Angeles press conference, where U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California, was forcibly ousted and handcuffed after trying to quietly ask her a question.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 15 June 2025
Arizona Department of Public Safety were seen in another clip handcuffing the man and taking him into custody.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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