1
as in chain
something that physically prevents free movement
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
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
1
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
2
as in to hinder
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
shackled by poverty and ignorance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shackle
Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025
The use of military flights to transport deportees has raised alarm among some Latin American leaders, who have questioned the imagery of deportees boarding the flights in shackles.
—Annie Correal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Alexandra Moore, The Conversation, 30 Jan. 2025
Someone had put Pace’s body in three garbage bags before stuffing her in the suitcase in the fetal position, with her ankles shackled to her wrist and arm, Wamp described.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shackle
Noun
But across both games under Potter, Paqueta has removed those shackles to play with freedom.
—Verb
And they were subjected to invasive body searches to and from class and initially shackled to the floor, with one hand chained to the table, throughout each session.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle
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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Prominent retailers, including department store chain Kohl's, discount retailer Bargain Hunt, and furniture store Big Lots, have revealed plans for consolidations, closures, and even bankruptcy, driven by the declining outlook for the retail sector.—
Noun
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No mention of Ukraine, not a word about Russia—VP Vance’s scolding lecture to Europe about free speech at the Munich Security Conference today was a complete embarrassment.—
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But that doesn’t seem to be the purpose of the record, which leans more heavily into fan service — a treat for those who’ve stayed loyal (or at least neutral) as Drake suffered the past year’s cavalcade of embarrassments.—
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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Automated feedback tools can further enhance engagement by providing instant responses to students, eliminating delays that traditionally hinder progress.—
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Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately hindered international rescue efforts after the Kursk submarine sank in 2000 in order to protect his country's nuclear secrets, Bill Clinton has alleged.—
Noun
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One of the diamond bracelets adorning Erivo’s wrist from Tiffany & Co. included rectangular-cut emeralds that paired seamlessly with her earrings.—
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Moore, 62, looked effortlessly chic walking the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall wearing a custom Bottega Veneta strapless black leather drop waist gown paired with a delicate Tiffany & Co. necklace and matching bracelet.—
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.—
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.—
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.—
Cite this Entry
“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
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