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
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 chain
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Bone-in wings, bread bowl pasta, and handmade pan pizzas will cost extra, however, according to the pizza chain.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Juggling enemies, chaining attacks, and wrapping it up in one smooth, slow-mo finisher is incredibly satisfying.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Noun
The chain opened its first Kansas City area location in Overland Park in 2020.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Bone-in wings, bread bowl pasta, and handmade pan pizzas will cost extra, however, according to the pizza chain.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
These systems are built with high security standards such as digital signatures, transaction chaining and sequential numbering, all aimed at making sales data immutable and resistant to manipulation.
—Darko Pavic, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Juggling enemies, chaining attacks, and wrapping it up in one smooth, slow-mo finisher is incredibly satisfying.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
Noun
-
Later, Howard calls Matt and agrees to cut the sequence but also threatens to destroy him.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The aforementioned masks, for instance, hasten strange visions for Blakey, but the film’s hard boundary between his dreams and waking life sap these sequences of all tension.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The difficulty in getting rid of players other than those whose contracts expired this summer (Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Jesus Vallejo) was a significant obstacle.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
To overcome this obstacle, the MIT team employed lithium-6 atoms, a rare isotope whose resonance frequency shifts depending on temperature.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Their desire, soured, turns into rage; the women in my family wear their resentments like bracelets.—
Eliana Ramage
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
So 🎶 make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it🎶 — and maybe share this newsletter with someone who needs a little Swift and spice in their September!—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once technology companies weed out junior roles, occupied by Gen Zers, their workforces are bound to rise in age.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike pension funds or institutional investors bound to reporting cycles, family offices can afford to wait.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The cells extended nerve fibers in both directions, toward the head and tail, to connect with the host spinal tissue.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, the presidents of the Central Pacific and, yes, Union Pacific railroads met in 1869 to drive the final ceremonial rail stake into the ground, connecting the east and west coasts.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With local landfills nearing capacity, about half of the county’s waste is now shipped by train to out-of-state facilities, increasing both environmental and financial costs.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Before the game, express trips will run every 10 minutes to supplement local service, and after the game, SEPTA will have 10 express and six local trains operating.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even if the discharge petition is successful, the underlying bill would have to clear many more hurdles.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Reports have also pointed to practical hurdles for Optimus, including production bottlenecks, hand dexterity issues, and leadership turnover on the program.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The college has implemented new programs and expanded others that are tied to in-demand jobs, Posey said.—
Bebe Hodges,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Lorenzen retired the next two hitters — via strikeout — as the game remained tied.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share