1
as in ties
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
prisons tend to bind convicted criminals for transport
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bandages
to cover with a bandage
bind the wound to stop the bleeding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in threads
to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord
bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in predicaments
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in chains
something that physically prevents free movement
the store owner held the would-be burglar in a makeshift bind until the police officers could arrive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of binds
Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
That unspoken bond is precious, and what binds a lot of community together.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
This force binds quarks and gluons together to make protons and neutrons.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
In Norse mythology, the ash tree known as Yggdrasill binds together all nine worlds, from the underworld of Niflheim to the realm of the gods, Asgard.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Aside from Nuñez’s Oscar Martinez, what binds the two series together is, well, paper.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
In one account, advanced by the evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, the laugh emerged as an auditory version of social grooming, an act that binds primate groups together.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
That chemical compound binds to opioid receptors in the brain and can have mood-boosting effects in high doses.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds to biotin (a B vitamin), reducing its absorption.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
What binds them together is their adherence to these six commitments.
—Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
That unspoken bond is precious, and what binds a lot of community together.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
This force binds quarks and gluons together to make protons and neutrons.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 5 Sep. 2025
In Norse mythology, the ash tree known as Yggdrasill binds together all nine worlds, from the underworld of Niflheim to the realm of the gods, Asgard.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Aside from Nuñez’s Oscar Martinez, what binds the two series together is, well, paper.
—Judy Berman, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
In one account, advanced by the evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, the laugh emerged as an auditory version of social grooming, an act that binds primate groups together.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2025
That chemical compound binds to opioid receptors in the brain and can have mood-boosting effects in high doses.
—Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025
Raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds to biotin (a B vitamin), reducing its absorption.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for binds
Verb
-
The Regenerative Imperative What ties these threads together is a vision of technology as a regenerative force; systems that heal rather than harm, that strengthen rather than extract, that enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The package ties future awards to ambitious market value and performance milestones.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These extreme predicaments and the deaths of people trapped in flooding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward were powerful reminders of the vulnerability of many low-income, elderly and ill residents who were unable to get out ahead of the disaster.—
Eric Kevin Stern,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
-
That being said, the news is filled with articles about schools in similar predicaments taking more draconian measures or even being forced to close.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Flat, flexible teams outmaneuver rigid command chains.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
On top of that, lines of vertical chains or cables create a almost frame each piece of art, as if every one has been thoughtfully exhibited.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
How To Harvest Dill Seeds Dill seeds can be used to make pickles, spice blends, stews, and more.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The menu item features two patties topped with American cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One was that the workers be transported from a detention facility to the Atlanta airport without handcuffs or other physical restraints.—
Anthony Kuhn,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Human Rights First raised concerns about the conditions on board the planes, with many deportees held in handcuffs or shackles for the entire flight, which can stop off in multiple countries and last more than 30 hours.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Cultural Dimension Culture amplifies or constrains collaboration.—
Thomas Lim,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The law also constrains practices that had allowed towing companies to start the sales process for some vehicles after 15 days.—
Dave Altimari,
ProPublica,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The company applies a sociological attention to the gestures and dilemmas of people’s daily routines; once harvested, these insights are quickly incorporated into product designs.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Here's an outline of some of those moral and ethical dilemmas that appear to be keeping Altman awake at night.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share