HANDCUFF Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

handcuff 1 of 2

noun

ˈhan(d)-ˌkəf

Definition of handcuff

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

handcuff

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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 handcuff

Noun

Video taken after Jando’s arrest shows him being escorted in handcuffs by a squad of Mexican commandos. — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Doorbell camera footage showed the actual assault in which Hyder threw Moore to the ground and repeatedly punched her before another officer pulled Hyder off and placed Moore in handcuffs. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Vernon said the glove would not be used on a person believed to be armed with a weapon; instead, it would be used on someone in close proximity who is unarmed and resisting being handcuffed. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handcuff

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handcuff

Noun

Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The Hightower high lord and his armies have occupied Tumbleton and have Rhaenyra in something of a bind.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

Center fielder Tristan Peters saw his franchise-record-tying streak of consecutive games with a home run end at five.

— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Ryker Huther is tied for first with 66 for Circle Christian boys golf on the first day of the Titan Invitational.

— Steve Gorches, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tie

Verb

Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impede

Noun

Bonnell also uses a belt drive as standard equipment for quieter, lower-maintenance operation, with an optional 520 chain conversion available for riders who prefer a more traditional setup.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Raven-Flint wants to eliminate elemental fluorine The more unusual part of the company’s approach is its Corvus Route, a proprietary uranium conversion process designed to eliminate elemental fluorine gas from the production chain.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of chain

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The money hurts, sure, and the bans aren’t fun, but losing five straight first-round picks can completely hinder a franchise.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
For example, Otto’s research has shown that, in yeast, having extra copies of every gene hinders the organism’s ability to adapt to the common antifungal medication nystatin.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

There is nothing just about shackling people that have never committed a crime.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2026
Before Thursday’s hearing began, Schaefer, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and shackled at the ankles, smiled broadly and blew a kiss to his mother, Kia Walker, seated in the courtroom gallery.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026