SHACKLE Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog , fetter , hamper , manacle , 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 is it sensible to use 'clog' instead of 'shackle'?

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

Q: When is 'fetter' a more appropriate choice than 'shackle'?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, 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 might 'hamper' be a better fit than 'shackle'?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle , hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence. // hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

Q: When would 'trammel' be a good substitute for 'shackle'?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net. // rules that trammel the artist's creativity

shackle 1 of 2

noun

ˈsha-kəl

Definition of shackle

as in chain

something that physically prevents free movement placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in embarrassment

shackles plural something that makes movement or progress difficult the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shackle

2 of 2

verb

as in to bind

to confine or restrain with or as if with chains unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to hinder

to create difficulty for the work or activity of shackled by poverty and ignorance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb shackle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of shackle are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, 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 is it sensible to use clog instead of shackle?

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

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

When is fetter a more appropriate choice than shackle?

The meanings of fetter and shackle largely overlap; however, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might hamper be a better fit than shackle?

While in some cases nearly identical to shackle, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

When would trammel be a good substitute for shackle?

While the synonyms trammel and shackle are close in meaning, 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 shackle

Noun

The Tate brothers’ years of legal trouble At their first public appearance in weeks, the Tate brothers entered a courtroom on August 27 in shackles and matching tan jail jumpsuits, surrounded by four US marshals. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 Corie Walsh, 40, appeared in Will County Court in Joliet, Illinois, in handcuffs and shackles. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

The president Monday said against any new regulation could shackle innovation and would only benefit China. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026 Otherwise, though, Moore, who like a year ago has been quick out of the blocks with early season goals against Cardiff City and Millwall, was well shackled despite putting in an energetic shift. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shackle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle

Noun

Contract pharmacies grew from roughly 1,300 in 2010 to more than 31,000 by mid-2026, dominated by the largest chains.

— Casey B. Mulligan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Not only are those objectively terrible ideas, but chains of title put guardrails on what studios can do with many iconic characters.

— Brent Lang, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of chain

Noun

Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein has been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade and forced him to give up royal duties in 2019.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein has been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade and forced him to give up royal duties in 2019.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Verb

Experts say the sharp increase in crashes shouldn’t immediately raise alarm — with more robotaxis on the road, they are bound to be involved in more incidents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
The awards are presented in Stockholm, with the exception of the Peace Prize, which is handed out in Oslo, a tradition often linked to the union that bound Sweden and Norway during Nobel’s lifetime.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of bind

Verb

The chair of Fayette County Democrats, Tracy Wilson, said the Uniontown Police Department is already short-staffed and underfunded and believes the program could hinder officers from answering calls.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Celebrity guests accompany the contestants, ideally helping and not hindering them, to an all-or-nothing final, where one test decides everything, including the true identity of the player.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of hinder

Noun

Months after their 2023 breakup, Kelce attended one of Swift’s concert, tried to give her a friendship bracelet, recounted the story on his podcast, and the rest is history.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
In 2010, another record was broken when Simpson’s Cartier onyx and diamond panther bracelet sold at Sotheby’s for $7 million.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of bracelet

Noun

Galarza said misconceptions about electric stoves are the largest obstacle to broader use.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Read More Roborock’s Saros 20 stands out for its ability to climb tall thresholds, avoid obstacles with impressive accuracy, and clean under low furniture thanks to its slim design.

— Brad Bourque, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Verb

Front-line workers have gone on strike several times since the outbreak began, further hampering efforts to contain the disease.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Bankers and lawyers here in Riyadh worry, though, that the latest effort, rather than fueling a revival of the Tadawul, may hamper it.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hamper

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shackle

shackled

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Style

“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shackle

noun

verb

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