Skip to main content
chain

chain

88 5.6
Something that limits a person's freedom or progress
  • noun
  • /tʃeɪn/
: cadena
  • Many people strive to break free from the chains that hold them back.
  • break the chains
  • free of chains
  • bound by chains

Like, are there ways to break free of the chains that bind?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I gave my life to Christ, and He broke all the chains that enslaved me.

    Academic text (1996)
  • We want to make sure that those chains are short, right?

  • Lord, break the chains so they could come home.

  • Public health policy, in this regard, should seek to break the chain of transmission.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Like, are there ways to break free of the chains that bind?

  • Let's break your chains and give you time to heal.

  • You've released the chains. You've given yourself wings.

  • Clearly, we must break the chains that shackle us to this high-tech albatross.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The three pillars of that inhumane system had become the threefold chain of their oppression.

    Academic text (1991)
  • "If you're done gawking, could you break these chains?" Krystin asked impatiently.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

restraint
vschain
36 3.9

A rule or measure that limits what people can do

is broader, meaning any circumstance that restricts freedom or progress
stranglehold
vschain
18 8.0

A strong control that prevents others from changing things or acting freely

means a general limiting circumstance, not necessarily total domination
yoke
vschain
  • Literature
16 8.6

A system that keeps people under control and stops them being free

covers general limits including single circumstances rather than ongoing systems
chokehold
vschain
4 8.0

A strong control that stops people or groups from acting freely

is a broader term for any thing that limits action or progress
straitjacket
vschain
3 7.5

A situation that greatly limits freedom and progress

describes a general limiting circumstance rather than only extreme restriction
constraint
vschain
1 4.6

A thing that stops or controls movement to keep people and machines safe

is a broader circumstance that limits freedom or progress

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

The right to act, speak, or think as you want without being stopped

140 3.9

The act of setting people free from control or unfair treatment

Idioms

13 8.7

Tease someone to make them react

8 9.0

Very exciting or impressive, and also free to move when set free

To allow someone to act freely after a time of control

Compounds

A system in an organization where instructions move from people at the top to people below

food chain
  • Specialized
48 2.6

A series of living things where each is eaten by the next

31 2.5

A portable machine with a moving chain of teeth for cutting wood

A series of connected events where each one causes the next

16 2.4

A store that is part of a group owned by the same company and sells the same goods

chain gang
  • Archaic
15 8.8

A group of prisoners chained together to do hard work as punishment

chain reaction
  • Specialized
15 4.1

A series of chemical or nuclear reactions in which one reaction makes the next start

11 4.8

A message that asks you to send it to many people, often as a scam

11 2.4

The system that produces, moves, and sells food from farms to shops

A group of places that serve food under the same name and menu

5 8.6

A flexible shirt of small metal rings joined together for protection

4 2.8

A group of stores owned or run by the same company that sell similar goods

long chain
  • Specialized
4 5.1

A line of many atoms, usually carbon, joined together in a molecule

4 5.5

A series of people or things linked one after another

long-chain
  • Specialized
3 6.7

Having many atoms joined in a long line inside a molecule

A loop of metal links that moves power from the pedals to the back wheel

3 3.5

A person who lights many cigarettes one after another

2 3.0

A group of shops owned by the same company that sell goods at low prices

watch chain
  • Archaic
2 2.8

A short chain or ribbon that holds a pocket watch on a vest

ball and chain
  • Archaic
2 6.9

A heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain

1 3.7

A chain put around a car tire to help it grip snow or ice

1 3.4

A heavy chain or strong rope that connects a boat to the metal piece that holds it in place

chain email
  • Texting
1 3.5

An email that asks you to forward it to many people, often with threats or promises

1 1.6

A string of paper loops linked together to decorate a room for a party

1 4.1

A string of daisies linked together and used as a decoration

A long line of high land with many connected peaks

chain reaction
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A process in which one nuclear event makes more nuclear events happen, keeping the reaction going

1 3.4

A metal chain that fits around a car tire to help it grip snow or ice

long-chain molecule
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A very large group of atoms joined together in a long chain like in proteins or plastics

A line of connected mountains or hills

Markov chain
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A system where each next step depends only on the current step

branched chain
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A line of connected atoms with one or more small groups attached

1 8.2

A protective shirt made of small metal rings linked together, worn by knights and soldiers

A company that owns many clothing stores under the same brand

1 4.7

A chain with a handle that you use to turn on a light or flush a toilet

chemical chain
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A long series of atoms joined together that forms part of a molecule like in plastic

chain reactor
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A machine that makes nuclear energy by splitting atoms in a controlled chain reaction

chain stitch
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A line of loops made with thread used in embroidery or crochet to make a chain pattern on fabric

1 8.8

A fish that lives in fresh water with a long body and dark marks like a chain

straight chain
  • Specialized
1 5.5

Atoms in a molecule form a single row with no branches

1 8.2

A small tree or bush with long clusters of bright yellow flowers

A lightning bolt that splits into several forks in the sky

1 2.9

A string of flowers worn or hung for decoration

1 9.1

A magical attack that hits one target then jumps to nearby targets

chain wrench
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A hand tool with a chain loop that grips and turns pipes or other round things

A range of hills in northern England that separates rivers flowing to different coasts

1 9.9

A small freshwater fish with chain-like markings that eats other fish

chain tongs
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A tool with a chain and handle that grips and turns large pipes

chain printer
  • Archaic
1 7.5

A fast, noisy machine that hits metal letters against paper to make many pages of text

chain fern
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A fern with long leaves that have chainlike rows of small spore cases underneath

9.9

A genetic illness that makes urine smell like maple syrup and can damage the brain in young children

closed chain
  • Specialized
6.9

A ring of atoms joined in a molecule to form a loop

9.1

A length of 100 feet that people use to measure land

A small garden tree with hanging groups of bright yellow flowers

Gunter's chain
  • Archaic
9.9

A historical length for measuring land equal to 22 yards

nautical chain
  • Archaic
7.5

A length used at sea equal to 15 feet or about 4.6 meters

open chain
  • Specialized
7.2

A chain of atoms in a molecule whose ends do not join to make a ring

polygonal chain
  • Specialized
8.2

A line made of straight parts joined end to end

A line of towers with moving shutters that send messages people can see over long distances

Virginia chain fern
  • Specialized
9.1

A North American plant with chain-like leaves that grows in wetlands and wet woods

How Restrictive

to shackle
19 6.2
constraint
103 4.6
restriction
312 3.0
chain
88 5.6
impediment
49 7.0
hindrance
21 5.7
obstacle
298 3.4

Surface Forms

chain singular
chains plural

Etymology

Chain comes from the Latin catena 'chain', and when we call something a chain that limits us, we mean it holds us back like a real chain that stops movement.