shackle 1 of 2

shackle

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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

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 shackle
Noun
When he was transferred to and from the hospital, he was handcuffed and kept in leg shackles and then moved to a different room, Nice said. Ben Adler, USA Today, 7 June 2025 Then Renée and her brilliant team came up with this, and Blake added all these shackles and stuff to it. Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
At a hearing on Thursday, Hipolito walked into court, limping and shackled in the same clothes he had been arrested in. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 Abrego Garcia, who was shackled and wearing a red jumpsuit, was expected to be released Wednesday, if only into ICE custody. Travis Loller, Fortune, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
  • Amazon’s past success with using Prime Day to drive sales and attract new members spurred other major retail chains to schedule competing sales in July.
    Anne D'Innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Its over-the-shoulder chain instantly elevates any outfit, and the bag's rainbow tweed look is sophisticated, polished, and flirty all at once.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, President Trump will probably never appeal his executive order losses in lower courts to avoid the embarrassment of losing in the Supreme Court populated with three Trump appointees.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025
  • Our parade in Fort Lauderdale was a fitting tribute to a great hockey team, while Trump’s embarrassment of a parade was a fitting tribute to a failed presidency.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • This obviously matters because billions of people use Google, meaning that AI Mode is bound to be highly trafficked.
    Nancy Marshall, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • But now the City Council has advanced a binding resolution using a power granted under City Charter for the first time ever.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • While the overall economic forecast remains ambiguous due to persistent worries regarding tariffs affecting major trading partners—which may incite inflation and hinder growth—Goldman is projected to gain from robust performance in its trading division.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • And further change to Apple’s executive ranks might hinder their efforts to expand in AI.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • Sloane points to other subtle touches that reflect Destruction's new outlook, like the cluster of beaded bracelets on his arm (Sloane's idea) and the chain around his neck contained a piece of hair from Ishtar (Amber Rose Revah), the goddess of war and death, and Destruction's former lover.
    EW.com, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Rihanna completed the look with black rectangular shades and a stack of diamond bracelets.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The branches of the military, which maintain their own communication networks, have their own obstacles.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • For Superman, that means preventing any of the negatives that do initially arise from becoming obstacles or bandwagon narratives in the press.
    Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • This small, daily action, tied to a routine cue, builds consistency, reduces reliance on motivation and strengthens willpower over time.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Newcomer The Studio season one just tied The Bear’s season-two comedy record with 23 nominations of its own.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Will this impede efforts to advance gender equality, especially in technology sectors?
    Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • But some of the worst economic effects will be felt by future generations, who, according to one Gen Zer interviewed by CNBC, are already concerned the deficit will impede their ability to collect social services.
    Leslie Picker, CNBC, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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