1
as in restrictions
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement
considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetters
Noun
-
When asked about the changing landscape of college athletics, Calipari said more regulations need to be put in place, including tougher restrictions on transfers and years that players are able to maintain eligibility.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025 -
Estonia -- which shares a 183-mile frontier with Russia -- is now the only Baltic state not to have imposed new airspace restrictions along its eastern border.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In its latest publication, the lobby representing over 1,600 member companies put forward 1,141 recommendations to Chinese policymakers, aimed at smoothing over various obstacles faced by European firms in the country.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
-
But just as emerging concerns around hallucinations, data privacy and copyright have put up barriers to generative AI that some organizations have found insurmountable, agents have their own set of obstacles.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
17 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
-
What binds them together is their adherence to these six commitments.—
Big Think,
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
Verb
-
This hinders the delivery of critical alerts and real-time actions.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The Bonner hamstring injury further hinders this crew.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Developers face rising costs, labor shortages, and supply constraints.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The network denied the claims but admitted it was edited due to time constraints.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One of the big hurdles Paramount and Skydance likely wouldn’t have to worry about is the FCC.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Education remains one of the category’s biggest hurdles, since many shoppers still view honey as interchangeable.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
12 Sep. 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
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.
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share