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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of handcuff
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Workers are on edge and scared as some of their colleagues are put in handcuffs and escorted out.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Officers arrived just after 12:15 p.m. Saturday and struggled with the man for four to five minutes before handcuffing him.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Noun
Brown was spotted in handcuffs being led to the back of a police cruiser.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Workers are on edge and scared as some of their colleagues are put in handcuffs and escorted out.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2025
Verb
Cops handcuffed Simmons-Davis and found a Taser, loose cash, and one clear bag of crack cocaine.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
Officers arrived just after 12:15 p.m. Saturday and struggled with the man for four to five minutes before handcuffing him.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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Other Republicans say the bill doesn’t go far enough to reduce spending and are pushing for deeper cuts, putting their party's leadership in a bind.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
-
Trump and his national security team find themselves in a bind.—
Jennifer Kavanagh,
Foreign Affairs,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Given that the government generally does not do great things with its money, tying its spending priorities to debt service is probably a positive.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
Joining him was David Lipsky, who made a clutch eagle on the par-5 17th to tie Grillo and Campbell at 18-under, but a costly bogey on 18 kept him out of the playoff.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Will this impede efforts to advance gender equality, especially in technology sectors?—
Lauren Buitta,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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But some of the worst economic effects will be felt by future generations, who, according to one Gen Zer interviewed by CNBC, are already concerned the deficit will impede their ability to collect social services.—
Leslie Picker,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Amazon’s past success with using Prime Day to drive sales and attract new members spurred other major retail chains to schedule competing sales in July.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
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Its over-the-shoulder chain instantly elevates any outfit, and the bag's rainbow tweed look is sophisticated, polished, and flirty all at once.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The list, created following a Trump executive order, aimed to identify jurisdictions hindering federal immigration laws and potentially withhold their funding.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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In addition to drying out the atmosphere, the dust also increases wind shear and atmospheric stability — two other key factors that can hinder storm formation.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Blount, who appeared wearing a white button-down shirt and tie, his hands shackled in front of him, his bulging gut and beige tie spilling over his beige pants, appeared impassive and refused to meet his victim’s gaze as Rothschild addressed him personally.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
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This was the puzzle: A knight awakens, shackled in a stone cell.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
SoCal embarrassed the Jekyll & Hyde Utah team, who were flying how but who lose easily to the near-last place Hard Eights for their only win of the weekend.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Such an attack might embarrass Trump and spur him to make good on his threat in his address to the nation on Saturday evening to respond to Iran with even greater force.—
Uri Friedman,
The Atlantic,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handcuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handcuff. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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