1
as in restrictions
something that limits one's freedom of action or choice
a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
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3
as in handcuffs
something that physically prevents free movement
considered a seat belt a pointless fetter—until one saved his life in an auto accident
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1
as in binds
to confine or restrain with or as if with chains
museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
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2
as in hinders
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the belief that too many rules and restrictions fetter children's creativity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fetters
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for fetters
Noun
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Supporters of restrictions argue that institutional investors often outbid would-be homeowners competing for the same homes, particularly in fast-growing markets.—
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Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado previously expressed intent to reform these hydrocarbon laws to increase foreign investment by getting rid of ownership restrictions.—
Noun
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Institutions were obstacles to be blamed or bypassed.—
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Ladders can help fish circumvent these obstacles, but learning to navigate them can take the animals days.—
Noun
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After a man appears to resist, the situation escalates as several agents tackle him and place him in handcuffs.—
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The video shows a group of Kansas City police officers placing two people in handcuffs in a parking lot and shooing other people away from the area.—
Verb
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When this sickening sensation happens, the nervous system releases a chemical messenger called substance P, which then binds to receptors in the brain that activate the vomiting reflex — specifically neurokinin-1, or NK-1, receptors.—
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This piece of legislation legally binds the US to help Taiwan defend itself against stronger neighbors, like China.—
Verb
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That imbalance — one main character rendered flesh and blood while the other never comes to life — hinders the central narrative of the film.—
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The anti-caking coating that prevents cheese from sticking together also hinders cheese from blending or melting into other foods with ease.—
Noun
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Autoliv and Tensor say their co-developed system is intended to remove those constraints without compromising safety.—
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The Fed also has an emergency lending authority with almost zero practical constraints.—
Noun
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Getting to the rollout has not been without hurdles, though, with teams continuing to work around the clock.—
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The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.—
Noun
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That trick play failed — Chism overthrew an open Drake Maye on the same reverse pass McDaniels called for Amendola and Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII — but the 24-year-old hauled in a 20-yard reception three plays later to move the chains on second-and-18.—
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It's been a difficult run for casual dining restaurant chains in recent years.—
Cite this Entry
“Fetters.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fetters. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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