MANACLE Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'manacle' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manacle are clog , fetter , hamper , shackle , and trammel . While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom. // a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice // a people manacled by tyranny

Q: When might 'clog' be a better fit than 'manacle'?

Although the words clog and manacle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering. // a court system clogged by frivolous suits

Q: When would 'fetter' be a good substitute for 'manacle'?

The words fetter and manacle can be used in similar contexts, but fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost. // a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hamper' instead of 'manacle'?

The synonyms hamper and manacle are sometimes interchangeable, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence. // hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

Q: When can 'trammel' be used instead of 'manacle'?

The words trammel and manacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net. // rules that trammel the artist's creativity

manacle 1 of 2

noun

ˈma-ni-kəl

Definition of manacle

as in chain

usually manacles plural something that physically prevents free movement manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult the warring groups need to shake off the manacle of their troubled past and learn to live with one another in peace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

manacle

2 of 2

verb

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains manacled the prisoner to the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to hamper

to create difficulty for the work or activity of in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb manacle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of manacle are clog, fetter, hamper, shackle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

When might clog be a better fit than manacle?

Although the words clog and manacle have much in common, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When would fetter be a good substitute for manacle?

The words fetter and manacle can be used in similar contexts, but fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When is it sensible to use hamper instead of manacle?

The synonyms hamper and manacle are sometimes interchangeable, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When can trammel be used instead of manacle?

The words trammel and manacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

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 manacle

Noun

Speaking to Morgan during an interview released on YouTube on Tuesday, British national Yiannopoulos, 41, recounted how his hands and feet were chained together with manacles. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 Beneath it, on the left side of the page, was a picture of Jackson in manacles. — Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 29 June 2024 During the trial, Wilber wore a manacle around his ankle and a stun belt on his arm. — Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2022 How to Be an Antiracist is a journal of Kendi's efforts to free himself of the ideological manacles clamped upon him by a society suffused with white supremacism, capitalist exploitation, misogyny and the repression of unconventional sexuality. — Dallas News, 26 Aug. 2019 From every officer’s belt there dangled an insectlike furl of disposable plastic manacles. — Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019 The genie is literally the slave of the lamp, his power bracelets actually manacles keeping him obedient to an endless round of masters. — Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 12 June 2019 The cellar dungeons were complete with bolts, chains and manacles for securing captives to the floors. — Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian, 27 Feb. 2018

Verb

Shelton’s serve had manacled him just enough; the first set’s effort had tired him just enough. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Once the detainees were on board, agents brought in a van with dozens of women, also manacled, to board next. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 10 June 2025 Drugged, kidnapped, and manacled while a pitiless killer wears her face. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 July 2024 The scandal is that, instead of doing his duty, the attorney general manacled his own Justice Department’s investigation. — The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2023 His hands were manacled to a chain belt at his waist, and his feet were bound by leg irons. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 4 Dec. 2019

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manacle

Noun

People used to be able to fill up their tires for free at GetGo, but now the gas station chain charges $3.

— Barry Pintar, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Council voted 11-3 to endorse the boycott of the popular coffee chain Starbucks, pledging not to buy any of its products until the company finalizes a fair contract with its unionized baristas.

— Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of chain

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

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

Ukrainian officials said the restrictions hampered ⁠the military’s ability to intercept Russian attack ⁠drones and forced the cancellation of some operations.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hamper

Noun

Government bond investors want cuts to public spending, less borrowing and business-friendly measures aimed at boosting growth, such as reversing some of the payroll tax increases introduced under Reeves.

— Ian King, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
Highfill maintains a covenant requiring utility rates to generate net revenues equal to at least 110% of maximum annual debt service on outstanding system bonds.

— Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of bond

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

Schwank also took issue with ICE’s characterization that Moreida was standing in the middle of an active road and impeding law enforcement’s actions.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Federal officials argue that California’s refusal to review the federal list or set aside the associated ballots impedes enforcement.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of impede

Browse Nearby Words

mana

manacle

manacled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Manacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manacle. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of manacle

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes