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
Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 23 Dec. 2024
From Karen Huger to Jen Shah to Luann de Lesseps these reality TV stars have had some run-ins with the law that found them in handcuffs.
—Diane J. Cho, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Hours later, he was taken handcuffed to the medical examination room and beaten by the prison officers.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff 
Noun
Timmerman, who was discovered by fishermen with duct tape wrapped around her face, her hands in handcuffs and her body weighted down by cinder blocks, disappeared days before Gabrion was scheduled to face trial on the rape allegation.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 23 Dec. 2024
From Karen Huger to Jen Shah to Luann de Lesseps these reality TV stars have had some run-ins with the law that found them in handcuffs.
—Diane J. Cho, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
The videos released by Ms. James’s office show officers appearing to choke Mr. Brooks, who was handcuffed and shackled during the attack, at several points and forcefully picking him up and pushing him down by his throat.
—Ed Shanahan, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Hours later, he was taken handcuffed to the medical examination room and beaten by the prison officers.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for handcuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff
Noun
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The city put itself in a bind by increasing rank-and-file police officer wages without providing comparable increases to supervisory ranks, Vallelong said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 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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But good times didn’t last as Morgan scored 10 of the Cornhuskers’ next 15 points to tie the score at 24 with 7:42 left in the first half.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Jan. 2025
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Minnesota had a distinct advantage on the glass and in the paint in the first half and went to the break tied 60-60.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This intergenerational transfer of wealth while providing essential support to parents and grandparents often impedes young adults’ ability to accumulate wealth.—
Noreen Sugrue,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Congress has delegated much of its foreign economic authority to the White House, but the biggest speed bump impeding Trump's ability to impose tariffs on Canada may be a trade deal negotiated under Trump himself: the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).—
Shannon K. Kingston,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Delgado’s death sets off a chain of events in the episodes that follow.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
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Debenhams, once a national department store chain, is now an online-only business, while the number of House of Fraser stores has nearly halved since retailer Mike Ashley took over the franchise.—
Samantha Conti,
WWD,
9 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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Plus, Henry is likely hampered for being too good too consistently for so long that his market simply remains flat.—
Larry Holder,
The Athletic,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
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One interesting aspect of Thornton’s character is discovered in the first scene of the first episode, when Norris is being held hostage in a shed in the middle of nowhere, shackled to a chair with a hood over his face.—
Demetrius Patterson,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Nov. 2024
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 22 Jan. 2025.
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