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
  • Build out a timeline, address potential obstacles and decide who owns each task.
    Ricky Muddimer, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
  • As a result, digital health companies such as Hims & Hers have been prescribing compounded semaglutide as an alternative for patients who are navigating volatile supply hurdles and insurance obstacles.
    Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander, named Blue Ghost, launched Jan. 15 on a much longer spaceflight bound for the moon.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Such agreements aren’t binding on the IRS or the courts in later tax disputes, but they are usually not ignored by the IRS.
    Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies.
    Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
  • However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • They were both booked into jail on multiple felony counts of obstruction of justice in connection with the death of Johnson, according to police.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
  • Julie Chrisley was also convicted on a count of obstruction of justice.
    Phil Helsel, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025
  • This comes a few days after Adebayo recorded the 221st double-double of his NBA career in Friday’s win over the Toronto Raptors to tie Rony Seikaly’s record for the most double-double performances in Heat history.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately hindered international rescue efforts after the Kursk submarine sank in 2000 in order to protect his country's nuclear secrets, Bill Clinton has alleged.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Automated feedback tools can further enhance engagement by providing instant responses to students, eliminating delays that traditionally hinder progress.
    Balaji Soundararajan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Today, these hurdles are now compounded by the circumstances of a mediatized, globalized present in which artworks are readily circulated and recontextualized online—made hyper-visible through social media and simultaneously flattened by the internet’s immediacy.
    Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Where to look? Startups often confine their hiring efforts to local talent, but expanding the search to a global scale can yield exceptional, cost-effective options.
    Elena Volotovskaya, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Muskies, on the other hand, are mostly confined to a small portion of North America.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Trammel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trammel. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on trammel

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!