shackle

American  

[shak-uhl] / ˈʃæk əl /

noun

1. a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.

   Synonyms:

   gyve, handcuff, manacle, chain

2. a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.

3. the U -shaped bar of a padlock, one end of which is pivoted or sliding, the other end of which can be released, as for passing through a staple, and then fastened, as for securing a hasp.

4. any of various fastening or coupling devices.

5. Often shackles. anything that serves to prevent freedom of procedure, thought, etc.

   Synonyms:

   encumbrance, impediment, obstruction, obstacle

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verb (used with object)

shackled, shackling

1. to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.

   Synonyms:

   fetter, restrict, hobble, handcuff, chain

   Antonyms:

   free, liberate

2. to fasten or couple with a shackle.

3. to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.

   Synonyms:

   dull, stultify, slow, impede, trammel

   Antonyms:

   free, liberate

shackle British  

/ ˈʃækəl /

noun

1. (often plural) a metal ring or fastening, usually part of a pair used to secure a person's wrists or ankles; fetter

2. (often plural) anything that confines or restricts freedom

3. a rope, tether, or hobble for an animal

4. a U-shaped bracket, the open end of which is closed by a bolt ( shackle pin ), used for securing ropes, chains, etc

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verb

1. to confine with or as if with shackles

2. to fasten or connect with a shackle

Other Word Forms

• shackler noun

Etymology

Origin of shackle

before 1000; (noun) Middle English schakle, schakyl ( le ); Old English sceacel fetter; cognate with Low German schakel hobble, Old Norse skǫkull wagon pole, (v.) late Middle English schaklyn, derivative of the noun

Explanation

Handcuffs are shackles. So are those leg irons some prisoners wear when they appear in court. In other words, a shackle is a restraint, either physical or psychological, that restricts movement. We generally think of shackles as some sort of heavy metal cuff that is used to keep prisoners in check. But shackles don't have to be physical. Ignorance can be a shackle, so can an abusive family member, or the economy. In those cases, shackles are an external force that keep you from doing or being everything you want to. You can't see those shackles, but they can be every bit as confining as the metal cuffs.

Example Sentences

I heard you were calm and even smiled when it was announced—an act of defiance to tell them they might have your body but will never shackle your spirit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

The lack of it is the shackle on so much within government and beyond: the national mood, taxes, you name it.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2025

A broken chain and shackle represents freedom from slavery.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2024

In the holding area, which cannot be seen by the public, Combs sat on a metal bench and had a shackle, like “handcuffs for the feet,” around his ankle, Lipkin said.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2023

He holds up some sort of metal headgear that I instantly name the head shackle.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• bind
• confine
• cuff
• handcuff
• tie up