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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
And British chain Marks & Spencer suffered a 2025 hacking that reportedly cost it $397 million. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 21 Oct. 2026 And according to Taskrabbit, approximately half of fast-food chain pickup requests on the platform across Los Angeles and Orange County are for In-N-Out alone. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Dynamic pricing, as it’s called, isn’t relegated to chain restaurants. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 Whether that’s the kind of show Kimmel wants to chain himself to remains to be seen. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 9 Oct. 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
  • That sequence also has a quick cameo from Aaron Paul, who plays Matt’s dad in one of his transformations.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The sequence demonstrated the ability of different naval weapon systems to participate in a coordinated engagement against a surface target.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of sequence
Noun
  • Icy weather, snowstorms, obstructive foliage and rugged terrain along the wild Rockies were just some of the obstacles Ben Nickell and Anne Koski faced on a 10-year journey to climb the highest point in each of Idaho’s 44 counties.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • The younger Sebastian selected a rainbow gemstone, Charlotte a bracelet and a ring.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • One fan takes the opportunity to ask for his thoughts on Memphis hip-hop — underrated in its influence, Diplo says — while another shrewdly hands over a stretchy cord bracelet with a flash drive loaded with music for submission.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of bracelet
Verb
  • But the relationship was bound to disappoint, given Vucic’s high hopes.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The meeting concluded with a general consensus among School Board members and City Council representatives to move forward with feasibility studies, cost breakdowns and formal design reviews before drafting a binding interlocal agreement.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of bind
Verb
  • Madsen connected with Jones for a 6-yard pass on the very first play of the game and didn’t slow down.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Part of that strategy is to connect with younger consumers, hence a recent partnership with 21-year-old livestreamer iShowSpeed along with innovating with menu items, branding, and store layout.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of connect
Noun
  • Trump won his second term in office just days after the collapse of a new concrete canopy at a train station in Novi Sad, killing 16 people.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Support for the populist had eroded since 16 people were killed in 2024 when a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station in Novi Sad.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of train
Noun
  • That's good news for home shoppers, but may not be enough to overcome the affordability hurdles keeping many prospective homebuyers out of the market.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • On Wednesday, the Republican House speaker acknowledged his party’s hurdles while stumping for congressional candidate Kevin Lincoln in Stockton in the Central Valley.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Verb
  • Sills said that a boater found Williams' empty boat tied to a railroad trestle close to Haslam's Marina on Wednesday morning.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Brewers hit 154 home runs this season, tied for the second-fewest in the majors.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chain

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