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tethered

tethered

5.1
Held by a rope or chain so it cannot move far
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɛðərd/
translation icon : atado
  • For safety, the dog was tethered to a post while we set up the picnic.

If you have kids, then you're tethered, which is tragic.

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Examples

  • The climbers remained tethered to the safety rope while they scaled the steep cliff.

  • So we've got everything tethered down, weighted down, even the crew are tethered in.

  • Tethered goats run out their tether and cattle, udders straining, crop the stunted grass.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The balloons were tethered to the ground to prevent them from flying away in the wind.

Synonyms

in chains
vstethered
33 6.3

A person who has metal bands on the hands or feet so they cannot move

can mean restriction by rope or metal links without heavy captivity connotation
tethered to
vstethered
8 4.4

Tied to something by a rope so you cannot move away, like a post or a dock

is broader allowing restriction by rope as well as metal links or similar
bound
vstethered
6 4.2

Tied or fastened to stop movement

is specific to restriction by rope or metal links rather than any fastening form
tied
vstethered
1.0

Fastened with string or rope

is used for being held or limited as if by rope or metal links
chained
vstethered
4.1

Held tight by metal so it cannot move or escape

can mean restriction by rope or metal links without heavy link implication
enchained
vstethered
  • Archaic
9.1

Held with chains or by rules that stop you from acting

is more literal focusing on actual physical restraint by rope or metal links
shackled
vstethered
7.0

Held by chains around the ankles so the person cannot move freely

is used for general restriction by rope or metal links not only ankle fastening
fettered
vstethered
8.1

Held by chains or ties so someone cannot move and cannot act freely

is broader not limited to ankle restraints and specific bindings
trussed
vstethered
8.1

Tied tightly with rope or string so arms and legs cannot move

is about general restriction by rope or metal links rather than limbs bound tightly
pinioned
vstethered
9.7

A person or animal held tightly with the arms tied behind the back

is a general rope or metal link restriction not only limb immobilization
confined
vstethered
3.7

Kept in one small space and unable to leave

specifies restriction by rope or metal links rather than mere spatial confinement

Antonyms

1.0

Without being held or controlled and able to move

Without walls or edges, things move freely

How Restricted

bound
6 4.2
tethered
5.1
fastened
1.3

Surface Forms

tethered positive

Morphology

tethered = tether (transparent) = tether + ed

Formed from the verb 'tether' with the regular participial/adjectival suffix '-ed', so the meaning 'tied or confined' is directly predictable.

Etymology

Tethered comes from the old word tether, a rope used to tie animals. So tethered originally meant 'tied' or 'held' by a rope, and today it still often means 'kept in place' or 'connected', as when a phone is 'tethered' to a charger.