1
as in restrictions
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement
considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in binds
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fetters
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.
—Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetters
Noun
-
After his availability is determined, Redick said the team will discuss any potential minutes restrictions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Last fall, the Pentagon required reporters who cover the military to sign on to a host of restrictions in order to maintain daily access to the building.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The obstacles along the way fueled Jones’ drive to succeed.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The officer was then recorded repeatedly punching Suarez, before placing him in handcuffs, court documents show.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Okaloosa sheriff’s office said Gillum was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a hotel in Destin, and posted a photo of him being led away in handcuffs.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These ragtag misfits, who are all incredibly talented and who are in desperate need of each other, and the glue that binds them together is the music and the city.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The technique uses a special solvent called ethaline that selectively binds different metals at different voltages, allowing precise separation.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The anti-caking coating that prevents cheese from sticking together also hinders cheese from blending or melting into other foods with ease.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The shows are accompanied by similar drops in ad revenue and increasing production costs, an ongoing shift to digital viewership, political constraints and publicity-friendly interview questions.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Once free of quota constraints, the Emirates can up its production by more than 40% to 5 million barrels per day, intensifying competition in markets where sub-Saharan Africa’s higher-cost producers are already vulnerable.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At a closed-door conference on April 28, the court and participants discussed the user experience, revealing that several bugs and hurdles remain.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
With limited communication access inside Iran, the filmmakers faced significant logistical hurdles in bringing the film to Sundance.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, Flytrex has partnered with several other fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Kebabs to Go and El Pollo Loco.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
To address this, Cotton Incorporated collaborated with leading global researchers to quantify plastic leakage across both cotton and synthetic value chains, spanning fast fashion and more traditional apparel categories.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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