fetter

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for fetter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A chain or similar restraint used to bind a person or animal, usually by the legs.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

restrain hinder

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

shackle manacle leg irons hobble hamper

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A chain or similar restraint used to bind a person or animal, usually by the legs.

“The prisoner's fetters clanked as he walked.”

shackle manacle leg irons hobble

2. verb

To restrain or hamper someone or something.

“Excessive paperwork can fetter a small business.”

hamper restrain hinder shackle

Opposites

free

How to use fetter

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

in fetters fetter someone's freedom cast off the fetters

It is fairly formal and often literary, especially when used figuratively.

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English feter and Old English feter, and is traced further back through Germanic to an Indo-European root meaning to step or walk. It is related to foot.

Full origin of fetter →

Frequently asked questions

What does fetter mean?

As a noun it is a chain used to bind someone by the legs. As a verb it means to restrain or hamper.

Is fetter usually singular or plural?

As a noun it is usually plural, so people say fetters.

What is the past tense of fetter?

The past tense and past participle are fettered.

People also searched

free hinder restrain hamper shackle hobble manacle

Nearby words

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