EN

Synonyms for fetter

27 synonyms
10 antonyms

verb
noun

Most common

bind tie encumber restrain

All synonyms

Verb

bind, tie, encumber, restrain, hamper, chain, hinder, bond, impede, cramp, clog, pinion, trammel, manacle, hopple, enchain, confine, embarrass, cumber, shackle dated rare, handcuff rare

Noun

hobble, restraint, handcuffs, bonds, leg irons, irons

Antonyms

liberate, free, release

All antonyms of fetter →

Definitions

v. 1
To shackle or bind up with fetters.
n. 1
A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal, often by its legs.

Related words

Word family: fetterless

Forms

Plural: fetters → hobbles, restraints…
Past participle: fettered
e.g. fettered → tied, encumbered, restrained, hampered…

Example sentences

chain There was a chain-reaction crash during rush hour.
bind I'm forever lost, can't you see? I'm in a bind!
restrain We tried to restrain him from his reckless action.
encumber I am sorry to encumber you with the children.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
fetter		steady
chain		rising
bind		rising
restrain		falling
encumber		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: tie¹
4 letters: bond¹, bind¹, clog¹
5 letters: chain¹, bonds¹, irons², cramp¹
6 letters: hinder², hamper², impede², pinion², hobble², cumber², hopple²
7 letters: confine², shackle², trammel², manacle, enchain
8 letters: restrain², handcuff², encumber³
9 letters: restraint², embarrass³, handcuffs²

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (irons² = 2 syllables).