shackle 1 of 2

shackle

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shackle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, 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 is it sensible to use clog instead of shackle?

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

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is fetter a more appropriate choice than shackle?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might hamper be a better fit than shackle?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When would trammel be a good substitute for shackle?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, 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 shackle
Noun
But Eze joined Arsenal shortly before the transfer window closed this summer, and Wilfried Zaha is no longer at the club, so there are fewer shackles for him. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Routh returned to the courtroom in shackles with no signs of blood on his shirt, the AP reported. Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
His arms were restrained to the bed and his feet were shackled together at the ankles. Rick Jervis, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025 In footage from inside the building, the detainees could be seen running while handcuffed and their legs shackled, some falling to the ground amid the rush to get away from the gunfire. Luke Barr, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shackle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
Noun
  • Hard Rock International Hard Rock International is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and includes a global chain of theme-bar restaurants, casinos, hotels and museums.
    Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
  • An X-ray revealed four chains of magnets stuck together inside his abdomen.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The scandal resulted in major embarrassment to the royal family and effectively ended her official royal role.
    Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Teens say access to period products has gotten better, but their menstrual cycles are still a source of embarrassment.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These measurements confirmed that the metals were not forming nanoparticles but were dispersed as single atoms, chemically bound within the carbon framework in the favourable coordination environment — the secret sauce to their exceptional performance, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The correlation seemed to suggest that space was alive with invisible forces that bound together the variable environments of the Sun and Earth.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If one team’s CNAPP operations will hinder another’s, neither benefits.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, his efforts to sell soybean-producing farmland could be hindered by the current trade climate that’s pushed soybean prices down.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The foot straps wrapped around the heels of the shoes, while leaving the front of her ankle exposed, which Harvey decorated with an elegant diamond ankle bracelet.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Swifties wearing friendship bracelets or Lambs reviving Mariah [Carey]’s ’90s butterfly motifs aren’t waiting for approval from [magazines] anymore…they’re creating the trends in real time.
    Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Shiffrin doesn't view this as an obstacle either, nor something to fear at this stage of the game.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Minister Kabawat’s optimism comes despite immense obstacles.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Despite the star power in the stands, the Dodgers lost 6-1, meaning the Blue Jays tied the series.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • If only our hands hadn’t been tied.
    Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Six citizens were arrested for impeding and threatening to kill agents.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Martinez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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