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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of handcuff
John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
The original investigators believed that at least 25 people were buried at Baumeister's 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm estate in Westfield, based on evidence that included 10,000 bones and bone fragments, as well as handcuffs and shotgun shells.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025
Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
Nick, who was handcuffed in front of his older son, was careful not to react.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff 
Noun
But his demeanor changed when a court officer started to touch his handcuffs.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025
The original investigators believed that at least 25 people were buried at Baumeister's 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm estate in Westfield, based on evidence that included 10,000 bones and bone fragments, as well as handcuffs and shotgun shells.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
It's not known why he was handcuffed, what prompted the attack or what was said during the beating.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 30 Dec. 2024
Nick, who was handcuffed in front of his older son, was careful not to react.
—Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Bolsonaro believes Trump’s victory will put the present government in a bind.—
Armando Regil Velasco Fox News,
Fox News,
10 Jan. 2025
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Sensing the Heat is in a bind, other teams have presented Miami with unappealing offers.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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Walker, in fact, explains that one of the by-products of alcohol metabolism is a class of chemicals, known as aldehydes, that are especially prone to impede REM sleep.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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These teams all have franchise players to build around and some contracts that would impede them from fully committing to the tear-down process.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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State of play: Peter Morton sold his interest in the cafe chain in 1996.—
Carrie Shepherd,
Axios,
21 Jan. 2025
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Los Angeles only has a volunteer, part-time and mostly teenage hand crew, who use axes, shovels and chain saws to stop wildfires spreading, according to the Post.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Which dyes carry more risks than others is also unclear due to the lack of research and funding, which is hampered by industry lobbying, added Mande, CEO of Nourish Science, a nongovernmental organization focused on US nutrition crises.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
17 Jan. 2025
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The delay also gives the two sides time to put the lawsuit to rest, which would otherwise hamper any negotiations.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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This detachment can hinder the development of relationship security, which is essential for building healthy relationships in adulthood.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The thinking in Beijing may be that an independent Greenland will be less shackled to NATO and the European Union, and as such, more open to investment from further afield.—
Scott L. Montgomery,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2025
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Not just a solid body, a port in a storm, but a high-level performer, able to shackle Mohamed Salah without needing to break sweat.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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And, yes, some justices should also regret embarrassing the court by needlessly attracting attention to their ethics.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near handcuff
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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