fettered

Bound by restraints

Fettered means bound or restrained, originally by chains or shackles around the ankles.

The literal sense appears in historical contexts: The prisoners were fettered and led away.

More often the word is figurative, describing anything that constrains freedom or action: fettered by outdated regulations, a mind fettered by convention.

The unfettered form—meaning free from restraint—may be even more common.

restraint

shackled

Bound with metal restraints

chainedBound with links
boundSecured or destined
manacledBound by wrist restraints

constrained · restricted · confined · tethered · tied · cuffed · leashed · yoked · pinioned · hobbled

hindrance

hampered

Obstructed or restricted

impededObstructed or slowed
obstructedBlocked from proceeding
hinderedSlowed or obstructed

encumbered · inhibited · curtailed · limited · stymied · thwarted · handicapped · burdened · trammelled · bogged down

figurative

oppressed

Treated with cruel control

subjugatedBrought under control
trappedUnable to escape
stifledForcibly held in

repressed · silenced · controlled · dominated · beholden · indebted · obligated · duty-bound · constrained · weighed down

fettered

shackled

hampered

oppressed

fettered

Opposites

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