hand·cuff
ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf 
: a metal fastening that can be locked around a wrist and is usually connected by a chain or bar with another such fastening
—usually used in plural
handcuffed; handcuffing; handcuffs
2
: to hold in check : make ineffective or powerless
handcuffed by strict regulations
Synonyms
Examples of handcuff in a Sentence
Noun
the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs
Verb
wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Dennis Romero, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Video from The Cut showed police putting one Chalamet look-alike in handcuffs.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024
After McAlpin was handcuffed, he could be heard making a series of noises.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff 
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Noun
The man fended off multiple attempts by the officers to grab his wrists and one attempt to put handcuffs on his right wrist before one of the officers started striking him, apparently with a closed fist, and then used a stun gun at least three times, the body camera video shows.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024
Video from The Cut showed police putting one Chalamet look-alike in handcuffs.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
Neither brother was arrested at the time of the incident, but Williams was briefly handcuffed and detained.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024
After McAlpin was handcuffed, he could be heard making a series of noises.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff
Dictionary Entries Near handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handcuff. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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