1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together
the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bracelet
something that physically prevents free movement
chains on the prisoner's ankles
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
chaining up the dog in the backyard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole
the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of chain
Emily Krauser, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Only about 6,000 of the chain’s stores in the United States were profitable, Mr. Wentworth said at the time.
—Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Greg Palkot, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Past a series of antique rifles chained to a wall, past an intricate system of conveyor belts whisking books to the surface, the library stores an enormous collection of plays, manuscripts, and letters.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
The evening after the Tate murders, Manson followers Watson, Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten entered the Los Feliz home of wealthy grocery chain owner Leno LaBianca, killing him and his wife, Rosemary LaBianca.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Only about 6,000 of the chain’s stores in the United States were profitable, Mr. Wentworth said at the time.
—Danielle Kaye, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
Spending months in dark damp tunnels, bodies chained to walls, humans forced to grovel like animals.
—Greg Palkot, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025
Past a series of antique rifles chained to a wall, past an intricate system of conveyor belts whisking books to the surface, the library stores an enormous collection of plays, manuscripts, and letters.
—Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
On Des Moines’ first attacking sequence after halftime, Feilhaber was fouled in the box to set up a penalty kick.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The report, which did not include a cause for the crash, noted that the exact sequence of the aforementioned events is still being examined.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.—
Scott Phillips,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As for accessories, Stefani went with silver bangle bracelets and a few rings.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
-
But Chico could also be problematic, racking up so many DUIs that by 2007 the star was required to wear an ankle bracelet that monitored his alcohol intake.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And even as experts point to overwhelming data on vaccine safety, the raw and immediate accounts — delivered straight to the movement’s followers — provide a narrative that public health officials, bound by evidence and constrained by institutional caution, struggle to counter.—
Brandy Zadrozny,
NBC News,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The winner’s persistence and integrity, bound by the twin spirits of independence and collaboration, stoke the creative ambitions of diverse people who have important stories to tell.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Along with access to more than 59 countries, NordVPN also allows users to connect to multiple devices (from computers to phones to tablets) and offers 24-hour live chat support.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Alongside the ongoing South Loop Park project, which will cap the southern section with a new multi-use park, removing the North Loop would mean that Kansas City neighborhoods would be fully connected from the Missouri River, through downtown and the Crossroads, to Brush Creek and beyond.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Sitting in his idling pickup one afternoon, Sherlock watched as a Canadian Pacific train rumbled by the grain elevator in the small town of Wimbledon.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Two workers were injured when a CSX train derailed in Curtis Bay following a collision Friday morning, the company said.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Senate passed the bill in a 54 to 46 vote, with one Republican opposing it and two Democrats supporting it after 10 Democrats provided the votes earlier Friday to advance the measure through a key procedural hurdle.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The board’s vote fixed the issue and removed a hurdle to Buc-ee’s closing on the deal for the land.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The first wave of deadly overdoses were tied to OxyContin and other prescription drugs, and subsequent waves have involved first heroin and more recently illicit versions of fentanyl.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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Many healthcare organizations are still tied to traditional fee-for-service models, and switching to VBC requires significant investments in new technologies, infrastructure and training.—
Arpan Saxena,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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