trammel 1 of 2

trammel

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb trammel contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of trammel are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, and shackle. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

In what contexts can clog take the place of trammel?

The meanings of clog and trammel largely overlap; however, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is it sensible to use fetter instead of trammel?

Although the words fetter and trammel have much in common, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When is hamper a more appropriate choice than trammel?

The words hamper and trammel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

How is shackle related to other words for trammel?

Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

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 trammel
Noun
The moment comes right before America Ferrera’s big monologue about the trammels of womanhood, when Robbie soliloquizes, too, about the loss of her self-esteem. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2024 Step 2: Measure and Cut Cubby Dividers Use trammel points to mark a rounded edge (an arc with a 7-1/2-inch radius) on three 6-1/2 x 19-inch boards. Lucy Fitzgerald, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2024 Use trammel points to mark a rounded edge (an arc with a 7-1/2-inch radius) on three 6-1/2 x 19-inch boards. Lucy Fitzgerald, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2022 Join the top and drop leaf; then use a large trammel to mark the curved edge. Thomas Klenck, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2021 Make a trammel, or beam compass, that pivots on a 3⁄8-in. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021 Build the trammel out of 1⁄2-in.-thick plywood, mount the router on one end and install a straight bit. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021
Verb
Diggs was trammeled by knee issues throughout 2023 as the 26-year-old was sidelined for 15 games after tearing his left ACL. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 14 Dec. 2024 The Founders gave an independent judiciary the responsibility of preventing the other branches from trammeling fundamental liberties of citizens. oregonlive, 23 Jan. 2020 The Patriots defense, which is on pace to break NFL records for most sacks and fewest points allowed, has trammeled and trampled opposing offenses, but the schedule keeps serving up red meat or raw quarterbacks for them to prey upon. BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2019 Now the area is brimming with new construction, and Ms. Medvedow, 63, is leading her institution into another less-trammeled area. New York Times, 22 June 2018 Those federal laws, along with state and local equivalents, provide broad and effective remedies for unequal pay without trammeling the hiring process. Gerald Skoning, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2017 When applied to armed protests, that mindset takes our country to a dangerous place: The Second Amendment and state open carry laws cannot trammel the free speech rights of unarmed protesters and the necessity for law enforcement to keep the peace. Olivia Li, Slate Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trammel
Noun
  • Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Unlike clumsier species that struggle with obstacles, the black mamba leverages every surface with surgical precision, effectively turning the landscape into a series of launchpads.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Any purchaser of 23andMe assets should agree to be bound by the company's existing privacy policy, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a letter to the U.S. trustee, a government office that oversees bankruptcies.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • She was later found bound with three leather belts, one of which was used to tie her ankles.
    Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The charges were first dropped a few weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term in part because the case would impede Adams’ ability to do his job as mayor, including cooperating with Trump’s immigration crackdown, the Justice Department’s new acting deputy attorney general wrote.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Removing opportunities for public commentary could impede the department’s ability to operate in the public’s interest, according to experts who spoke with Reuters.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In November 2021, Burke was sentenced to 46 years in jail for assault and obstruction of justice.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Remember to check your outdoor AC units and remove leaves or any other obstructions that can cause blockages or safety hazards.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On a team in need of offense, Grimes answered the bell as a top scorer in the month of March, tying Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards for 11th in scoring at 26.6 points per game.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Natural gas is often closely tied to oil drilling as both resources are commonly found together in hydrocarbon reservoirs.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Such rigid mentalities can lead team members to avoid challenges, fear failure and resist feedback, which ultimately hinders their organizations’ overall business growth.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Related article Recession odds are rising as Trump’s trade war escalates, Goldman Sachs says The economy faces a growing risk of a recession as tariffs could hinder growth, increase unemployment and contribute to inflation, according to Goldman Sachs.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Join 80 others in the comments View Comments The documentation required by each state also varies, and ID seekers discussing the REAL ID process online have commented on hurdles for people who have had name changes or other inconsistencies in their documentation.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The documentation required by each state also varies, and ID seekers discussing the REAL ID process online have commented on hurdles for people who have had name changes or other inconsistencies in their documentation.
    CNN.com, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Musician and educator Harry Urata, confined to an internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, encountered Japanese-American workers who had processed sugar cane leaves on Hawaiian plantations since the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
    Paul Grein, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The office’s website lists limited in-person services, directing users to a general email address and noting that public outreach is confined to virtual tours since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trammel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trammel. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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