shackle 1 of 2

shackle

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shackle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

When is it sensible to use clog instead of shackle?

Although the words clog and shackle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is fetter a more appropriate choice than shackle?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might hamper be a better fit than shackle?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When would trammel be a good substitute for shackle?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

Examples 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 shackle
Noun
Mangione entered a Manhattan court room in shackles yesterday. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 The 26-year-old Mangione entered the Manhattan courtroom in shackles and under heavy guard. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
The former drug lord’s hands were shackled and two officers in helmets and flak vests held each of his arms. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 17 Dec. 2024 Mangione, shackled and dressed in a maroon sweater over a white shirt, pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shackle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
  • As Texans prepare for the weather, some of the area’s largest grocery chains have seen an increase in demand for staple items, like bottled water, milk, eggs, cereal, bread, peanut butter and paper goods.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Delgado’s death sets off a chain of events in the episodes that follow.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The irony, of course, is that the source of the embarrassment is Trump.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Some warned that British forces were vulnerable to the same embarrassment as their American allies, who were tarred in 2010 by the leaking of military logs documenting six years of the Afghanistan war by WikiLeaks, the antisecrecy group established by Julian Assange.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Jubilee runs through early January 2026, so, if you are bound for Rome, book everything as far in advance as possible.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Removing such an important network from any team is bound to cause disruption to the team’s identity.
    Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This detachment can hinder the development of relationship security, which is essential for building healthy relationships in adulthood.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • As homeowners turn to contractors for the slow process of rebuilding, an immigration policy that deports undocumented workers or forces them underground may hinder the recovery.
    Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Shields spoke glowingly of the night in a recent podcast interview, saying mama Swift gave one of her daughters a bracelet right off her wrist.
    Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Chalamet paired the green scarf with a denim set from True Religion that featured contrasting stitching, layered bracelets, and a pair of ankle boots.
    Marissa Muller, WWD, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • There is a path to preventing such a wrong turn, even if the path is strewn with obstacles and is uphill all the way.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Their change of heart reflects the inconvenient practical obstacles to suddenly cutting off access to a popular platform.
    Johanna Costigan, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Makhachev's 15 wins in a row is also one away from tying the 16-fight win streak that was set by Anderson Silva.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Jrue Holiday committed a costly late-game turnover and fouled Trae Young with the Celtics up two, allowing the Hawks star to tie the game with free throws.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This intergenerational transfer of wealth while providing essential support to parents and grandparents often impedes young adults’ ability to accumulate wealth.
    Noreen Sugrue, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Congress has delegated much of its foreign economic authority to the White House, but the biggest speed bump impeding Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canada may be a trade deal negotiated under Trump himself: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near shackle

Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on shackle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!