shackles
Prisoner's ankle irons
Shackles are metal restraints, typically rings connected by a chain, used to bind a prisoner's wrists or ankles.
The word almost always appears in plural form, whether referring to literal restraints or figurative ones: throwing off the shackles of oppression.
To shackle someone is to put them in shackles or, more commonly, to impose severe constraints on their freedom or ability to act.
Budget cuts have shackled the department's ability to respond to emergencies.
Linked metal restraints
- fettersAnkle restraints, often metal
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- ironsRestraints or golf clubs
leg irons · bonds · bindings · cuffs · ball and chain · hobbles · tethers · stocks
Involuntary subjugation to another
- slaveryOwnership of people
- captivityState of being confined
- subjugationForcing into submission
- enslavementForced human ownership
servitude · imprisonment · confinement · tyranny · oppression · domination · yoke · subjection
Limits on action
- limitationsImposed or inherent bounds
- restrictionsLimitations on action
- barriersThings blocking access
- burdensWeighty obligations borne
impediments · hindrances · encumbrances · inhibitions · obstacles · fetters · bonds · ties
chains
Linked metal restraints
- fettersAnkle restraints, often metal
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
irons · leg irons · bonds · bindings · cuffs · ball and chain · hobbles · tethers · stocks · pillory
bondage
Involuntary subjugation to another
- slaveryOwnership of people
- captivityState of being confined
- subjugationForcing into submission
enslavement · servitude · imprisonment · confinement · tyranny · oppression · domination · yoke · subjection · thralldom
constraints
Limits on action
- limitationsImposed or inherent bounds
- restrictionsLimitations on action
- barriersThings blocking access
burdens · impediments · hindrances · encumbrances · inhibitions · obstacles · fetters · bonds · ties · weight
- medieval itemssword, mace, flail, dagger, crossbow
- power metaphorsiron fist, iron grip, reins, puppet master, pulling strings
- slaverychattel slavery, enslaved, slave, enslavement, slave traders
- Antebellum Southplantation, cotton kingdom, overseer, slave quarters, big house
- boat suppliesantifouling, seacocks, epoxy resin, bungs, anchor chain
- oppressionoppression, tyranny, racism, repression, secret police
shacklesreleases
Lets go or publishes
keys · unshackling · unfettering · unchaining · unbinding
shacklesfreedom
Absence of constraint
liberty · independence · emancipation · liberation · autonomy
shacklesliberation
Release from constraint
release · empowerment · wings · deliverance · unburdening
- iron shackles
- slave shacklesRestraints binding enslaved people
shackle, unshackle, unshackled, shackled, shackling, unshackling, unshackles