as in tying
to attach (someone or something) to something else by or as if by means of a line or cord
I tethered the boat to the dock before coming ashore.
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Recent Examples of tethering
Each spark tethering to the next, seamlessly flying without a net and yet somehow fully course-corrected.
—
Natasha Lyonne, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By tethering the livelihood of these workers to divisive debates over sanctuary policies, the Democrats have prioritized political optics over the basic welfare of the American worker.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Disrupting airports by tethering the pay of airport security screeners to the tumult of Washington politics is untenable.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The policy includes other restrictions as well, such as bans on tethering during weather advisories or at night.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Natasha Lyonne, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
By tethering the livelihood of these workers to divisive debates over sanctuary policies, the Democrats have prioritized political optics over the basic welfare of the American worker.
—Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Disrupting airports by tethering the pay of airport security screeners to the tumult of Washington politics is untenable.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026
Colonel Parker, Elvis’s manager, kept his cash cow on a leash, tethering him first to middling B-pictures, then to casinos.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The policy includes other restrictions as well, such as bans on tethering during weather advisories or at night.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 29 Jan. 2026
One delayed tethering himself to Cignetti — a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America defensive back.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
Either option requires a hospital stay of around two to three days, and the recovery afterward can be shorter for tethering.
—Kate Snow, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tethering
Verb
-
The notion of a mother tongue assumes that language functions as a common thread in families, tying parent to child.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Judge hit a solo home run in the ninth inning, tying Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami with his MLB-leading 12th of the season, to give the Yankees a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The meeting’s outcomes will be consolidated into a final report rather than a binding agreement.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
According to the outlet, the legally binding agreement had previously been overlooked when the script had been vetted and approved.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Not long after, the White House began lashing out at Democrats and the media over the shooting.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
On his last day before he’s scheduled to ride off on his motorcycle for a three-month sabbatical that’s only barely disguising his suicidal ideation, Robby spends his final shift lashing out at his co-workers.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tethering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tethering. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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