chain 1 of 2

noun

ˈchān How to pronounce chain (audio)
Definition of chainnext
1
as in sequence
a series of things linked together the chain of events that led the American colonies to seek independence from Great Britain

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2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult this community will grow and prosper only after it has thrown off the chains of ignorance and prejudice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bracelet
something that physically prevents free movement chains on the prisoner's ankles

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chain

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains chaining up the dog in the backyard

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to connect
to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole the prosecutor meticulously and brilliantly chained all the evidence together in his closing argument

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 chain
Noun
The Russian region of Sakhalin includes Sakhalin Island and the four southernmost islands of the Kuril chain, which Moscow controls and Tokyo claims. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 This is critical for building up the long chains found in proteins. — ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
Our favorite animals who became celebrities A scary incident on April 26, 1941, however, led the zoo to chain him to a wall inside the Pachyderm House for 29 years. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 The Democrats wrote in a summary of the allegations that immigrants sleep while restrained with handcuffs, leg irons and belly chains, and even elderly people have been chained for 16 hours a day. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chain
  1. sequence
  2. obstacle
  3. bracelet
  4. bind
  5. connect
  6. train
  7. hurdle
  8. tie
Noun
  • Miller's new ad opens with a somber sequence of close-ups of various people's faces as the congressman talks about how divorce affects families.
    — Lara Korte The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The telling sequence There’s not a sequence more indicative of the aforementioned separation than the end of the first half.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • There’s outward social and internalized pressure on the Dashwood sisters to marry, and do it quickly, but per any Austen tale, the path is blotchy and blocked by obstacles and second-guessing.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • During robot operation, LiDAR supplies information about the surrounding environment, helping the framework account for obstacles and available clearance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Van Cleef & Arpels’ Vintage Alhambra topped the bracelet ranking, while the Cartier Love wedding band led rings.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This platinum version with its salmon-toned dial on a platinum bracelet is exceptionally rare.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of bracelet
Verb
  • Also, a decision by a federal appeals court binds federal district courts within its jurisdiction—here, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming—and serves as influential precedent elsewhere.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • His hands and legs were bound, duct tape covered his face, and his body was burned and showed signs of decomposition, according to the record.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of bind
Verb
  • Barnett hits first 3-point attempt Luke Barnett, who has arrived at KU with a reputation as an excellent 3- point shooter, connected on his first 3-point try shortly after checking in at the 15-minute mark of the first half.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But multiple times a date has admitted using AI to learn details about the show without having seen it, just to connect.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of connect
Noun
  • The silhouette of the gown was mostly form-fitting with a pleated hemline and fabric that created a small train.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • An unoccupied vehicle was stuck on the railroad tracks and was hit by a train, police said.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of train
Noun
  • Our main hurdle has always been convincing people to pay for a cinema ticket to watch two episodes of a series.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Most of the K-pop festivals that have been announced over the last few years never went ahead due to various logistical hurdles.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • In this economy, the value of luxury assets like art, watches and fine jewelry is tied to their ability to signal that their owners can afford what others cannot.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is running a Creator Pitch Challenge tied to its 40th anniversary, while Bloomr.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tie

Phrases Containing chain

Browse Nearby Words

chagrins
chain
chained
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Cite this Entry

“Chain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chain. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chain

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chain

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