1
as in restrictions
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement
considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fetters
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetters
Noun
-
Earlier this month, China significantly tightened its restrictions on rare earth elements, which make up a key input in semiconductors found in an array of products from cars to home appliances.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Millions rely on them to bypass geographic restrictions, protect sensitive communications or simply browse more securely.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The television industry can be a competitive environment for emerging writers with no shortage of obstacles.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The obstacles to higher uptake are multifold and stubborn.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Baltimore County officials are now calling for a review of how Kenwood High School uses the AI gun detection system and why the teen ended up in handcuffs despite school safety officials quickly determining there was no weapon.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Carpenter then tossed Hadid her signature furry pink handcuffs as Hadid blew her a kiss.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Love binds the Duncans together just as tightly as their secrets, making family both their greatest weapon — and their greatest weakness — in BET+'s The Family Business.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
-
That tells you a lot about the spiritual connection that binds our two countries.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Officials have argued the government shutdown hinders the Department of Agriculture's ability to distribute additional dollars.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Inertia hinders many consumers from seeking out higher rates.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The models struggled with spatial reasoning, and some showed a lack of awareness of their own constraints—including one model that repeatedly piloted itself down a flight of stairs.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Often, those constraints are shed with the thought that populism will become a larger factor in what films are nominated.—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The journey to the pad involved challenges and hurdles in terms of engineering, financing, regulations and licensing — including 24 different permits from Queensland, along with environmental and airspace approvals — as well as finding a location for a launch pad.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Not that Lana needed any more hurdles to overcome.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And now, an 11-play, 34-yard drive that ended with a turnover on downs when CJ Daniels dropped a fourth-down pass from Carson Beck that would have moved the chains.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
In 2003, Dawes launched Late July, an organic, non-GMO tortilla chip brand that’s now stocked in major grocery chains across the country, including Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Walmart.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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