verb

shackle

to chain up, to restrain, to restrict

The prisoners were shackled together.

The prisoners were shackled together.

She felt shackled by her family's expectations.

She felt shackled by her family's expectations.

to shackle ((sb./sth.)) to put chains on someone or something to limit their movement The guards came to shackle the prisoner.

to be shackled by ((sth.)) to be restricted by something intangible She felt shackled by her family's expectations.

Synonyms: fetter, manacle, restrain; Antonyms: free, release, liberate

From Old English 'sceacel' meaning 'shackle, bond'.

Imagine a prisoner trying to 'shake' off their shackles. The sound association can help.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.