binds 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bind
1
as in ties
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains prisons tend to bind convicted criminals for transport

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2
as in bandages
to cover with a bandage bind the wound to stop the bleeding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in threads
to gather into a tight mass by means of a line or cord bind the asparagus spears carefully before packing the bunches

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

binds

2 of 2

noun

plural of bind
1
as in pickles
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind

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2
as in chains
something that physically prevents free movement the store owner held the would-be burglar in a makeshift bind until the police officers could arrive

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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 binds
Verb
Instead, the plasma is a mix of the constituents of hadrons and the nuclear force that binds them. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Gilligan’s portrait of their relationship is a study of how time binds people together. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Citrate is a molecule that binds to calcium to keep calcium kidney stones from forming. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026 Because the Fourth Circuit includes North Carolina, Cabarrus officials have said the ruling binds the district. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 To prevent this leaching, stale urine was used as a mordant—a chemical that binds to the dye and the cloth, acting as a molecular bridge between the two while protecting the color from breaking down from exposure to light, water, and rinsing. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 The provider binds the account, agent and task in an authorization record and digitally signs it, allowing the retailer and payment service to verify who issued it and whether it has been altered. — Aashis Luitel, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Together, the three women are forced to confront old wounds and find out whether what still binds them is strong enough to keep them from sinking. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Self-exclusion in particular only binds licensed operators, which is why offshore sites target people who have signed up for it. — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
There’s a lot of deus ex machina resolution of tight binds, things that happen off-screen and are waved away. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for binds
  1. ties
  2. pickles
  3. chains
  4. hampers
  5. predicaments
  6. handcuffs
  7. constrains
  8. dilemmas
Verb
  • For South Africa, which supplies more than 80% of the world’s platinum, the hydrogen bet ties its export earnings and job creation to Beijing’s industrial policy.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That ties him with two other players for the most times having won that award.
    — Jim Reineking, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of ties
Noun
  • In the book’s 16 central chapters, Roden wanders from central categories such as yogurt, egg dishes, breads and pickles, showing how the countries of this region prepare stunning variations of common foodstuffs.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The following month, Marcus and Bakhitar made another strategic decision based on their network's advice, submitting applications to sell pickles at Erewhon and Whole Foods despite barely having any history as a business.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of pickles
Noun
  • All major bank chains will be closed on Labor Day; however, physical ATMs will still be available at most bank locations.
    — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The bars were sold at major grocery chains including Publix, Harris Teeter, Walmart and Food Lion, according to an online product finder on Outshine’s website.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of chains
Verb
  • That marks a 37% increase from the same time last year, as the Iran war hampers oil supply.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The lack of open pores in the soil also hampers the movement of air and water.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampers
Noun
  • Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
Definition of predicaments
Noun
  • The footage shows the woman lying on the ground in handcuffs.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • He was struck several times while pinned down and in handcuffs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of handcuffs
Verb
  • Fiscal Dominance Changes The Objective Fiscal dominance describes a regime in which the scale of public debt and deficits constrains monetary policy.
    — Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Advertisement The trouble with military hegemony The dominant role of Pakistan’s military further constrains political space.
    — Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of constrains
Noun
  • Summary Major League Baseball has finally resolved its decades-long stadium dilemmas for the Oakland A's and Tampa Bay Rays.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes’ return presents the royal family with many dilemmas, said Hilary Rose in The Times.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of dilemmas

Browse Nearby Words

bindle stiffs
binds
binge
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Cite this Entry

“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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