1
as in restriction
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
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2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
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3
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident
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1
as in to bind
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
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2
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fetter
Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2024
Rumors circulated before the killing of Khashoggi that King Salman was concerned enough to consider putting some fetters on his heir.
—Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2018
The solution to this question can be reached not by deifying the nation, but on the contrary by completely liberating productive forces from the fetters imposed upon them by the national state.
—Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2011
One man even contrived somehow to get across while still in iron fetters.
—Adam Goodheart, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023
Its stage is where King Kong broke his fetters in the 1933 movie.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2023
And then there’s the New Deal, another famous attempt to slap fetters on the rough beast of capitalism.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
This early recording is unique—brisk and pugnacious, a stormy, bitter Schubert raging against his earthly fetters and then distilling his passions, in the last movement, into headlong lunges, dazzling whirls, and delicate pirouettes.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2020
Like the shrimp and grits, the fetter papa burger ($15) is appropriately decadent.
—Lindsey McClave, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2019
John D. Witiak, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2024
Ruskin felt insulted and legally fettered by the verdict.
—Adrian Dannatt, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023
Certain wandered between rows of mannequins fettered with leg irons, claustrophobic dungeon cells and a towering guillotine.
—Jeremy Redmon, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023
After the beating, he was fettered in iron chains around his ankles, which would rub his skin raw.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2023
Teddy Roosevelt broke up the trusts, regulated the food supply, created the National Park System, and fettered the railroads.
—Jonah Goldberg, National Review, 22 Nov. 2019
Botany was also often fettered to expertise in gardening, another activity that fell within the realm of the feminine.
—Amandas Ong, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2018
In many developing countries, girls face two starkly divergent paths: one fettered by gender inequality and cut short by early childbearing and the other offering personal fulfillment and economic improvement that benefit families and nations.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Apr. 2018
While your job is to enforce the consistency that stylebooks aim for, you must not be fettered by it.
—John E. McIntyre, baltimoresun.com, 25 Aug. 2017
Noun
But Trump famously wriggles free from such fetters and resists being hemmed in.
—Verb
Our vote, secret and simple, not fettered by any AI or the eyes of an authoritarian who threatens those who disagree with him, ensures that our union endures.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetter
Noun
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Syrian refugees have experienced this backlash in the form of state repression, denial of legal residency and refugee status, and severe restrictions on rights and access to basic humanitarian services.—
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The bloc’s landmark AI law, which recently became enforceable for the first time, imposes tough restrictions and threatens hefty fines for breaches.—
Noun
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Build out a timeline, address potential obstacles and decide who owns each task.—
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As a result, digital health companies such as Hims & Hers have been prescribing compounded semaglutide as an alternative for patients who are navigating volatile supply hurdles and insurance obstacles.—
Noun
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Denny’s is closing dozens of restaurants The American diner is closing at least 30 of its restaurants as part of the struggling chain’s plans to jumpstart growth.—
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Bottom line Travelers looking for the best boutique stay no longer need to avoid the big chains.—
Verb
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Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander, named Blue Ghost, launched Jan. 15 on a much longer spaceflight bound for the moon.—
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Such agreements aren’t binding on the IRS or the courts in later tax disputes, but they are usually not ignored by the IRS.—
Verb
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Along with carrying out mass deportations, his second administration has vowed to prosecute anyone who impedes their immigration enforcement operations.—
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The practice is now impeded by ever more protective drone squadrons of P.R. people, although Prince Andrew’s ruinous television interview is a prime example—the disingenuous reporter meets the insufficiently self-aware subject, and blood is spilled.—
Noun
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From the relationship with the body to analyzing trauma to the societal constraints on human beings and their relationship with the planet, the exhibition, accompanied by a magazine, invites us to reflect on identity, connection, and complexity.—
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By identifying potential limitations early, companies can plan to optimize their use of NOLs and R&D credits within the constraints imposed by 382 and TCJA.—
Noun
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Their restaurant group, Strategic Hospitality, helps manage those practical hurdles and provides access to resources from accounting to HR.—
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Financing the film was an early hurdle for Molayemi and Sohani.—
Verb
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The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.—
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In 2024, Maryland tied for No. 128 nationally in sacks and tied for 71st in tackles for loss.—
Cite this Entry
“Fetter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetter. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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