SHACKLES Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

shackles 1 of 2

noun

plural of shackle

as in obstacle

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

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shackles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of shackle

as in binds

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

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as in hampers

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

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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 shackles

Noun

Opening statements by defense Anthony's defense attorney, Russell Wilson, opened by requesting that Anthony be removed from his shackles, which Chitty approved. — Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026 And shackles where the very system was preventing me from delivering value. — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026 And the sport — players in uniform and executives in suits alike — all march toward the cliff in shackles of their own design, seemingly helpless to find a compromise. — Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Somehow, the models managed to slip out of their shackles and go on a mini hacking spree. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 29 July 2026 They were then arrested and taken to prison — while reportedly holding hands and sharing a kiss in shackles. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026 D4vd, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, entered the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in shackles and an orange jumpsuit. — Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 22 July 2026 Burke entered the packed courtroom with shackles around his waist and, for a brief moment, seemed to smile shyly at the room. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026 D4vd, 21, appeared in court in an orange jail uniform and shackles. — Alex Stone, ABC News, 21 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackles

Noun

Travelers leaving Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s other territory in North Africa, are subject to exit checks at ports and airports, an obstacle for migrants who enter the territories illegally and hope to reach the European continent.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
The design is meant to move around any obstacles, including the free weights collection near your pilates mat, meaning no more sweaty spots in your home gym.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Verb

To prevent this leaching, stale urine was used as a mordant—a chemical that binds to the dye and the cloth, acting as a molecular bridge between the two while protecting the color from breaking down from exposure to light, water, and rinsing.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
The provider binds the account, agent and task in an authorization record and digitally signs it, allowing the retailer and payment service to verify who issued it and whether it has been altered.

— Aashis Luitel, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of binds

Noun

An open field across from the Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA could potentially be the site of Crown Point’s first pet adoption and resource center but multiple hurdles still remain.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
The organizations, specialists and larger coalition of the willing have to contend with these hurdles.

— Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurdle

Verb

Ultimately, glorifying sleep deprivation is counterproductive; prioritizing sleep is key for career longevity and productivity, while chronic insomnia leads to impaired judgment and hinders professional growth.

— Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Neptune retrograde hinders our intuition, leaving us lost in the fog.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 15 July 2026

Definition of hinders

Noun

Rachel Moser is charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering of evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Some may also face charges for battery, obstruction and resisting a police officer.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstruction

Verb

That actually ties the non-DCU, The Batman spin-off The Penguin, the hugely praised standalone series that aired in 2024.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
For collection accounts and charge-offs, federal law ties the reporting period to the initial delinquency that ultimately led to the account being charged off or sent to collections.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ties

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“Shackles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackles. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of shackles

noun

verb

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