Synonyms of handcuffs

handcuffs 1 of 2

noun

plural of handcuff

as in bind

something that physically prevents free movement

the man reluctantly held out his wrists so the policeman could snap on handcuffs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bind
• irons
• chain
• bond
• curb
• shackle
• band
• bracelet
• tie
• holding
• cuff(s)
• ligature
• collar
• fetter
• trap
• restraint
• net
• captivity
• imprisonment
• confinement
• manacle(s)
• straitjacket
• incarceration
• restriction
• hindrance
• hold
• enslavement
• constraint
• fastener
• entanglement
• trammel
• enchainment
• immurement
• hobble
• hold-down

handcuffs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of handcuff

1

as in binds

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains

wanted to take the trip, but was handcuffed by her responsibility to watch her ailing father

Synonyms & Similar Words

• binds
• chains
• ties
• shackles
• confines
• fetters
• hampers
• manacles
• lashes
• gyves
• constrains
• enchains
• bits
• attaches
• trammels
• irons
• pinions
• enfetters
• links
• hobbles
• trusses
• fastens
• secures
• curbs
• limits
• hinders
• hog-ties
• restricts
• joins
• impedes
• tangles
• entangles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescues
• releases
• frees
• liberates
• unbinds
• unties
• unshackles
• emancipates
• unfastens
• looses
• unfetters
• undoes
• detaches
• untangles
• disengages

2

as in hampers

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

the fear that the new mandatory, standardized tests will handcuff the state's teachers, who will have to specifically tailor their lesson plans for the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hampers
• hinders
• impedes
• embarrasses
• obstructs
• shackles
• handicaps
• blocks
• fetters
• manacles
• interferes (with)
• hobbles
• cramps
• short-circuits
• delays
• trammels
• clogs
• inhibits
• restrains
• holds back
• encumbers
• stymies
• ties up
• chains
• hog-ties
• ties
• reins
• disrupts
• constrains
• brakes
• leashes
• tethers
• curbs
• arrests
• cramps one's style
• gives a hard time
• binds
• barricades
• thwarts
• holds up
• frustrates
• checks
• balks
• roadblocks
• halters
• retards
• stifles
• confines
• blockades
• chokes
• foils
• strangles
• retains
• muzzles
• bogs (down)
• baffles
• stumps
• suffocates
• sabotages
• smothers
• hedges (in)
• derails
• hems (in)
• mires
• represses
• suppresses

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aids
• helps
• assists
• facilitates
• opens
• unties
• releases
• frees
• liberates
• clears
• unplugs
• unstops
• loosens
• makes way
• unclogs
• smooths
• encourages
• promotes
• furthers

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handcuffs

Noun

Federal authorities said he was arrested on Tuesday and distributed a photo of the man in handcuffs. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026

Officers were seen placing several people in handcuffs and taking them away after the shooting. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

The Democrats wrote in a summary of the allegations that immigrants sleep while restrained with handcuffs, leg irons and belly chains, and even elderly people have been chained for 16 hours a day. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

At least one uninjured person in civilian clothes was put in handcuffs on the scene, according to video provided by Siegel. — Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026

Colombian men, who are suspects and accused of involvement in the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, sit in handcuffs during a hearing at the Court of Appeals in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on January 27, 2025. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Of course, some artists viewed that as a hindrance down the line, like being caught up in corporate handcuffs. — Alex Gonzalez, VIBE.com, 18 Sep. 2026

After the dust cleared, the Patriots fan was in handcuffs and eyewitnesses were alleging that this was all over the Pats fan trying to sit in the wrong seat. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Multiple officers pinned him facedown and placed him in handcuffs. — Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2026

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

For example, Stevens said, a department could create a policy that if an officer chases down and handcuffs a suspect — an inherently tense situation — a different officer would be responsible for transporting and booking the suspect, eliminating further contact with the first officer. — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026

The officer again tells Timberlake to turn around and handcuffs him. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026

Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason. — Omar Kelly march 8, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2026

While state law seemingly handcuffs local officials into approving solar projects, Richmond said residents and board members need to work together to fight solar power plants. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

At the crash site, some of the rescuers find Morrow, who holds them at gunpoint and handcuffs them together in the lab. — Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025