Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For now, Hong has chained his plane in San Gabriel Valley Airport and said he’s uncomfortable flying it until he can thoroughly inspect it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2025
Yet he has chained himself to the table, and he appears ready to wager everything to intimidate his adversaries and make them fold.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 29, 2022
About a week later I see a news report: a celebrity has chained himself to one of the fences out there and it’s Martin Sheen.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 27, 2018
He has chained himself to excavators; he has faced down bulldozers.
From New York Times ● Sep. 27, 2012
Sacred duty has chained me down to a life that was outwardly most sordid and unhappy.
From What Can She Do? by Edward Payson Roe
