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
Calderón, a big, bald man wearing a gold chain and cross-shaped earrings, sat off to the side, amid an entourage of muscular assistants in polo shirts, poking at his phone. — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 Back in April, the chain broke ground on a two-million-square-foot distribution center near Phoenix, set to open in 2028. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
Denver's Centennial Gardens abruptly closed over a year ago, and the gates have been chained ever since, leaving residents with questions like why and what's next. — Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Mythos was notable for being able to autonomously find and chain multiple cybersecurity vulnerabilities together, potentially orchestrating entire attacks autonomously. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 June 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
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong and Bregman both tagged and advanced on the sequence, putting runners on second and third for Suzuki.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2026
  • The companies getting this right ensure that marketing, R&D and operations work from the same consumer truth at the same time so that what consumers need and what the business can brilliantly deliver are answered together, not in sequence.
    — Manmit Shrimali, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • But even Johnson is not immune to the bruising consequences of dealing with a president who critics say treats Congress as an obstacle, instead of an equal — frequently flexing his power through executive orders.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • This was most obvious during Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, when brands capitalized on all things Taylor — friendship bracelets, themed drinks and even concert outfits.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Days later, Kelce tried and failed to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it at her Kansas City show, the first domino to fall in the couple’s fabled romance.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 July 2026
Definition of bracelet
Verb
  • Teplizumab – a form of immunotherapy – binds to immune cells to slow their attack and so delays the need to take insulin by two to three years.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 July 2026
  • But, of course, everyone has a secret that’s bound to come out.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 6 July 2026
Definition of bind
Verb
  • Newport Beach now prohibits canopies larger than 6 feet by 6 feet and requires that the structures not be connected.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • In other words, different machines will handle different jobs while staying connected through the same software system.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of connect
Noun
  • They are already used in technologies such as quantum computers, MRI scanners, fusion reactors, and maglev trains.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 June 2026
  • And one of the state’s two railroads, the White Pass & Yukon Route, has recently been named one of the most beautiful train journeys in North America.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026
Definition of train
Noun
  • To directly address these technical, safety, and regulatory hurdles, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the international energy technology firm Eni have established a new commercial engineering services company named RH3OVA.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • There are still some hurdles to get Trout to the game this year.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • Acuff hit one of two free throws to tie the game with 38 seconds remaining.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • Gomez's glam team tied the look together with a sleek bun, pink lipstick, and smoky eye makeup.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Definition of tie

Phrases Containing chain

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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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chain

Nglish: Translation of chain for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chain

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