BINDS Synonyms: 166 Similar and Opposite Words

binds 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bind

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bandages

to cover with a bandage bind the wound to stop the bleeding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unbandages

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

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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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

In an era of parasocial pop stardom, the radical honesty of Cyrus’ approach — her clear-eyed appraisal of the relationship that binds an idol and her audience — was kind of a thrill to behold. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 A certain symmetry binds her career and the league – 15 years, half of the league’s existence. — Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 The answer, according to Masic’s research, lies in the Romans’ ingenious recipe for cement, the glue that binds concrete together. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 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 Because microorganisms in water turn regular mercury into methylmercury, a toxic chemical form that binds tightly to fish tissue, the heavy metal accumulates to higher levels in aquatic animals. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 The Model Context Protocol’s authorization specification binds an access token to the server it was issued for and requires servers to reject tokens that were not. — Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026 The emulsifier binds the components together and leads to a smooth, complete melt. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 There’s a whole literary multiverse that now binds many of his stories that didn’t exist at the time of Carrie. — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 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

Verb

Jay Ajayi ties an NFL record by surpassing 200 yards rushing for the second game in a row, helping the Miami Dolphins rally past the Buffalo Bills 28-25.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The robe features a small belt that ties together at the back, a leash opening at the top, and a velcro closure.

— Tim Chan, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ties

Verb

But the inability a company to buy ads hampers a campaign’s visibility and removes a key tool that studios use to spread the word about a movie currently in theaters.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
This lushness is truly remarkable on an island known for its volcanic soil, which traditionally hampers plant growth.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampers

Noun

The relentless rain associated with Hurricane Isaias didn’t stop some hikers from venturing onto trails and greenways in North Carolina, leading to life-threatening predicaments, officials say.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
On the screen, in a series of daredevil adventures, the actor had extricated himself from a hundred impossible predicaments.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of predicaments

Noun

Muñoz was put in handcuffs in his pajamas and taken into federal custody downtown.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
After hours of torture, Chamberlain managed to free one of her hands from a pair of handcuffs with her teeth, unclip a leather leg restraint and quietly bolt out the door as Evonitz slept.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of handcuffs

Verb

The trailer shows Elisabeth, the Empress of Austria (Devrim Lingnau Islamoğlu), fighting for her heart, health and voice, as the Viennese court constrains her.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
This further constrains the supply of homes available to buyers.

— Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of constrains

Noun

Together, Frankenstein and The Vampyre remind us of literature’s power to probe the deepest questions of human existence, offering enduring insights into the ethical, social, and existential dilemmas that continue to shape our world.

— Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
But aspects such as strong characters, emotional investment, aspirational and authentic journeys, contemporary tensions, real moral dilemmas and complex relationships are what keep you there.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of dilemmas

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bindle stiffs

binds

binge

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Style

“Binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/binds. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of binds

verb

noun

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