verb

shackle

SHAKL

verb

To restrain someone with chains or metal restraints.

"The prisoner was shackled at the wrists and ankles."

To restrict or hold back someone's freedom or progress.

"Heavy debt shackled the young couple for years."

How to Use Shackle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo physically restrain with chains, or figuratively to hold something back from progress.

Common pairings

shackled by debt shackle a prisoner shackled ankles

Word Forms

shackled past tense, shackled past tense, shackle plural, shackled plural, shackles plural, shackles singular, shackle singular, shackled singular, shacklest singular, shackledst singular, shackleth singular, shackles singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The prisoner was _____ at the wrists and ankles.

Etymology

From Middle English schakelen, related to the noun shackle, meaning a metal ring or link used as a restraint.

Rhymes for shackle

tackle cackle crackle

See all rhymes for shackle →