manacle 1 of 2

manacle

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb manacle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manacle are clog, fetter, hamper, shackle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

When might clog be a better fit than manacle?

Although the words clog and manacle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When would fetter be a good substitute for manacle?

The words fetter and manacle can be used in similar contexts, but 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 it sensible to use hamper instead of manacle?

The synonyms hamper and manacle are sometimes interchangeable, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When can trammel be used instead of manacle?

The words trammel and manacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

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 manacle
Noun
Beneath it, on the left side of the page, was a picture of Jackson in manacles. Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024 During the trial, Wilber wore a manacle around his ankle and a stun belt on his arm. Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2022 Brown turned Milwaukee’s defense from manacle to meme. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 May 2022 How to Be an Antiracist is a journal of Kendi's efforts to free himself of the ideological manacles clamped upon him by a society suffused with white supremacism, capitalist exploitation, misogyny and the repression of unconventional sexuality. Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2019 From every officer’s belt there dangled an insectlike furl of disposable plastic manacles. Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019 The genie is literally the slave of the lamp, his power bracelets actually manacles keeping him obedient to an endless round of masters. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 12 June 2019 But beyond the frenzied mix of hormones and alcohol is an intense curiosity in the outside world, one that noisily landed three weeks ago on the doorsteps of Russians, unfiltered and free from the manacles of politics. Amie Ferris-Rotman, Washington Post, 9 July 2018 The cellar dungeons were complete with bolts, chains and manacles for securing captives to the floors. Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian, 27 Feb. 2018
Verb
Drugged, kidnapped, and manacled while a pitiless killer wears her face. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 July 2024 Rubio hammered home his argument that there’s no daylight between Cuba’s lack of justice and Trump’s own trial, with a video featuring a military official manacled and brought before a crowd of more than 15,000 in the Havana Sports Palace arena. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2024 The scandal is that, instead of doing his duty, the attorney general manacled his own Justice Department’s investigation. The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2023 His hands were manacled to a chain belt at his waist, and his feet were bound by leg irons. Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 4 Dec. 2019 During those endless days and nights, everything was done to break his will: solitary confinement, pressure to confess by cruel supervisors and the humiliation of being manacled while receiving medical attention. Ariel Dorfman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2018 They are filmed in lingering close-up as the opening credits roll, a montage of them manacling the wrists, ankles, necks, and dreams of African American men. Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2018 Early practitioners in literary study, the history of language, and anthropology were often ideologically manacled by the cultural mores that encased their object of study. Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 25 Oct. 2017 Although the new territory bolstered his neo-Soviet reclamation project, retaliatory sanctions from the West manacled the Russian economy. Jack Dickey, SI.com, 10 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manacle
Noun
  • Grads react as billionaire gives them $1,000: Watch video Yelp unveils its top 25 burger chains in the US: See the list Spotify reveals predictions for 30 top songs of summer 2025: See list Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Del Taco restaurants continue to operate in Boise — including at 3205 S. Vista Ave., the store mentioned on the marquee — plus in Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell and Kuna, according to the chain’s website.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The Times spoke to both sides, as well as multiple experts to better understand the high-stakes litigation, which faces obstacles but could shake up California’s home insurance industry.
    Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • Kennedy’s announcement does not broadly address healthy adults, but under the new FDA framework, healthy adults who wish to receive the fall COVID-19 vaccine will likely face obstacles.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • However, most brands are unwilling to pay that premium, which leaves creators undervalued and legally bound to work that continues to generate brand ROI long after payment has cleared.
    Kristen Bousquet, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Many foliage are pot bound and need a new but slightly larger container. 76.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • 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.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2025
  • Online shopping has been severely hampered at the retailer due to outages to its website that are expected to last into July.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Supporting your cat's need for safety, predictability, and control helps build a positive, lasting bond between your child and your cat.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
  • The board will pay for the property in cash, and upcoming renovations will not require a referendum or bonds, according to Sikora.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • That can include language hurdles, arranging child care or elder care, and significant differences in national pension or retirement programs.
    Christina Larson, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and policy bill clears one hurdle.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Well, as referenced above, the United States was coming out of a nasty recession tied to the crisis in the mortgage market.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The investment fund tied to the Qatari state has spent billions on the operations and players.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • He has been charged with a collision involving damage to a vehicle and hindering apprehension, both misdemeanors.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2025
  • However, incomplete knowledge of prolonged symptoms experienced after a young child’s own SARS-CoV-2 infection hinders prevention and treatment of LC in infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.
    Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Manacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manacle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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