as in bind
usually handcuffs plural
something that physically prevents free movement
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handcuff
Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The slots on the door were used by the sheriffs for security measures such as restraining us with handcuffs before opening the door and to feed us with food on trays or in a cup.
—James L. Dold, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Border Patrol ordered her out of the car, threw the mother and grandmother to the ground, handcuffed her and arrested her, the lawsuit alleges.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
After several more shouted demands, Torres pulled out handcuffs and detained Campbell.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
The slots on the door were used by the sheriffs for security measures such as restraining us with handcuffs before opening the door and to feed us with food on trays or in a cup.
—James L. Dold, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
The witness demonstrated that Fielder was able to raise the gun in both hands despite being handcuffed and connected to a belly chain.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Border Patrol ordered her out of the car, threw the mother and grandmother to the ground, handcuffed her and arrested her, the lawsuit alleges.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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How Guano Sustained America’s Wars When the War of 1812 erupted, the U.S. found itself in a bind.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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If Williams surprisingly transfers, UM would be in a bind.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Chicago’s success is directly tied to the strength of its suburban communities.—
Seth Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
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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
Verb
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Whereas, for example, if AI is part of a feature set, one component faulting does not necessarily cause the user to feel their tasks have been impeded.—
Agur Jõgi,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Britain’s youth are grappling with worse mental health now than 10 years ago, pushing more of them out of employment than their middle-aged peers and impeding their career growth.—
BYPrarthana Prakash,
Fortune Europe,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Artificial Intelligence will soon take fast-food orders at 500 major chains including Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
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The rest is generated by its value chain, including waste, manufacturing and transportation.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
WWD,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Over recent weeks, CISA employees, all speaking on the condition of anonymity, had told Forbes morale was low and concerns were high that important work was being hampered by the cuts.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Both Iran and North Korea could then use Russian nuclear and missile technology to develop advanced weapons that would hamper the U.S. military’s response options in East Asia and the Middle East—and even threaten the American homeland.—
Christopher S. Chivvis,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His zone swing percentage is higher than average but is going to have to be at Freddie Freeman levels to hinder teams in effectively pitching around him.—
Michael Salfino,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
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However, some connections hinder, rather than help, professional progress.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Mooney recounted that she was shackled, slept on a mat with only a foil blanket, and endured a 24-hour transport ordeal crammed with 30 other women.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Bissouma would occasionally drop in next to Gray to help Spurs progress the ball or to help shackle Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi.—
Jay Harris,
The Athletic,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Vance memes seem to contain an admission as well: that even some conservatives do not see him as essential to the current MAGA movement. Consider the fact that Democrats have long tried to embarrass Trump with memes and images of him as an infant, a Cheeto, and other forms.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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