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

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 next

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

How does the verb shackle contrast with its synonyms?

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

There was simply not enough of that from Jeremie Frimpong or Milos Kerkez in this tie, but back on home soil, there will be no excuse as the shackles have to come off. —

Oliver Kay, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 But Carrera’s course has none of these administrative shackles. —

Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026

Verb

In a world shackled by the tenets of patriarchy, men are still guided by antiquated ideals of masculinity. —

Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026 Niall and Ruben are locked into their toxic dynamic, and we’re shackled alongside them. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shackle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shackle

Noun

Two that are also components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average — McDonald's and Walt Disney Co — are the week's headliners, while restaurant chains, media companies and gig economy platforms will also have a big showing.

— Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 2 May 2026
Protesters are demanding that the hardware store chain protect day laborers against future arrests and deportations after last year's uptick in immigration enforcement operations, some of which happened outside of Home Depot locations in Southern California.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 May 2026

Definition of chain

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shackle

shackled

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“Shackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shackle. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of shackle

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verb

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