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
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Musk’s crime to assist Brad Schimel has already been committed, and if Elon Musk sets foot in Wisconsin, he should be placed in handcuffs and held accountable—just like any other criminal.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
So Mamie handcuffs her and puts her on the back of her horse.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
When his wife arrived, finding her husband in handcuffs, an agent told her that his immigration status had changed and he was being taken away.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Musk’s crime to assist Brad Schimel has already been committed, and if Elon Musk sets foot in Wisconsin, he should be placed in handcuffs and held accountable—just like any other criminal.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Federal agents handcuffed the driver, while Rochester police handcuffed other people removed from the van, according to WXXINews.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
So Mamie handcuffs her and puts her on the back of her horse.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Immigrant advocates say the new demand has put themselves – and their clients – in a bind.—
Henry Gass,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 Apr. 2025
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Just like the first time, Democrats are expected to use amendment votes to put Republicans in a bind on a number of issues.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Eligibility for premium subsidies for insurance plans sold in Affordable Care Act marketplaces is also tied to the official poverty level.—
Arthur Allen,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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The charges stem from their role in developing Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer accused of helping launder funds tied to North Korean cybercrime.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Williams’ Carlos Sainz initially qualified 12th but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding Hamilton, causing a shakeup in the order of those who were knocked out in Q2.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The theater chain announced on social media that the special screenings will take place on Sunday, April 20.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Tax Day is coming this week and restaurant chains across the country are offering customers freebies and discounts to celebrate the occasion.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales.—
Dan Mangan,Kevin Breuninger,Jeff Cox,Christina Wilkie,Erin Doherty,Ruxandra Iordache,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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The deep budget cuts at HHS have also hampered the nation’s disease-detection capacity and pandemic preparedness with respect to pathogens such as bird flu, according to experts.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Arbitrary rules shouldn’t hinder deserved recognition.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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However, choosing to avoid office politics can seriously hinder your career growth.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Will they be shackled and hooded, shuffled off to some far-away detention center and then flown to a foreign country willing to warehouse America’s politically undesirables for a hefty fee?—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Next, he was taken to an airport, shackled, and flown to a detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana.—
Eric Levenson and Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
5 Apr. 2025
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The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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