manacles 1 of 2

noun

plural of manacle
as in irons
something that physically prevents free movement manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area

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manacles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of manacle
1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains manacled the prisoner to the wall

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hampers
to create difficulty for the work or activity of in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations

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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 manacles
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manacles
  1. bond
  2. binds
  3. hampers
  4. chain
  5. chains
  6. impedes
  7. constraint
  8. handcuffs
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
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
Definition of binds
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
  • This chain of reasoning purposefully stokes fear in the hearts of Broward citizens.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Built for government demands BlueChip’s first customers are expected to value durability and supply-chain transparency over portability.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of chain
Verb
  • Other specialty markets, including the Asian grocery chains 99 Ranch Market and T&T Supermarket, are also expanding in Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Restaurant chains Chipotle and QDOBA pulled jalapeños last week.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of chains
Verb
  • 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
  • The stigma of a record impedes their ability to get a job, leaving them unable to afford market-rate housing at a time when affordable housing is already limited.
    — Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of impedes
Noun
  • Those capabilities could support missions that face significant constraints under conventional spacecraft designs.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Beset by budget constraints, the museum ceased operations in June.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of constraint
Verb
  • Federal agents were waiting on the tarmac to greet them, handcuffs at the ready.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The state government already handcuffs local municipalities with preemption laws.
    — Oliver Adams Larkin, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026
Definition of handcuffs

Browse Nearby Words

manacled
manacles
manacling
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Cite this Entry

“Manacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manacles. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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