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
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
The outlet also shared video footage of what appears to be the artist in handcuffs while being escorted around a medical facility by a police officer.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2025
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The Associated Press captured the photo of the group sitting on a bench with their feet handcuffed on Jan. 30.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
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Noun
There’s also a controversial plaque and a defiant former NFL player in handcuffs.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
The outlet also shared video footage of what appears to be the artist in handcuffs while being escorted around a medical facility by a police officer.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
The police soon catch up to the duo and start chasing them, with the camera then panning to a male who has been handcuffed in the back of the truck with a sack on his head and is wearing the same outfit as Keoghan did in the original video.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
The Associated Press captured the photo of the group sitting on a bench with their feet handcuffed on Jan. 30.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 2025.
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