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tethering

tethering

6.3
Holding someone back so they cannot grow or act freely
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛðərɪŋ/
translation icon : restricción
  • Excessive tethering of employees through strict policies can hinder innovation in the workplace.

But there's part of us that maintains A tether to a much bigger reality.

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Examples

  • "Tethering will not be a consumer feature.

    Blog text (15)
  • I would argue that the tethering of healthcare to the employer has seriously hurt the middle class.

    Blog text (5)
  • But there's part of us that maintains A tether to a much bigger reality.

  • Using other methods of tethering to circumvent that restriction may violate carrier policy.

    Blog text (23)
  • The tethering of students to rigid curricula can stifle creativity and critical thinking.

  • The tethering of children to strict schedules limits their ability to explore and learn freely.

Synonyms

chain
vstethering
199 5.6

Something that limits a person's freedom or progress

refers to the state or object causing restriction rather than the restricting act
leash
vstethering
48 4.5

A limit on how much someone can do

implies direct supervision and limited freedom more than general restriction
restraint
vstethering
44 3.9

A rule or measure that limits what people can do

is about the act of limiting rather than the formal rule or measure
constraint
vstethering
22 4.6

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

describes the limiting action rather than the limiting object or condition
stranglehold
vstethering
17 8.0

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

is a less absolute form, covering general limits rather than total domination
bondage
vstethering
12 8.5

A state of being controlled by fear or addiction and hard to escape

focuses on the prolonged state under control rather than the act that creates it
short leash
vstethering
  • Informal
12 5.7

Close control of someone that allows them little freedom

is used for tight personal control rather than general limitation
repression
vstethering
11 7.2

Using power to stop people's actions and feelings

is more forceful and often political compared with general limitation of freedom
yoke
vstethering
  • Literature
9 8.6

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

applies to long lasting systemic oppression rather than a single restricting act
straitjacket
vstethering
7 7.5

A situation that greatly limits freedom and progress

is a broader less extreme restriction applying in many figurative contexts
chokehold
vstethering
3 8.0

A strong control that stops people or groups from acting freely

is less all consuming applying to limits without full dominance
bridle
vstethering
2 7.0

Something that limits a person's actions or power

serves as a tool to control, not the broader act of limiting freedom
confining
vstethering
1 5.6

That limits someone's freedom or ability to move

focuses more on limiting freedom and development in general
constraining
vstethering
1 6.3

Makes someone or something unable to act freely

is broader, covering movement and development rather than only choices
enchainment
vstethering
  • Archaic
9.9

Being tied or locked so someone cannot move

is broader, applying to figurative restriction and development limits rather than literal binding

Antonyms

1.0

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

127 3.9

The act of setting people free from control or unfair treatment

How Restrictive

stifling
4 5.3
restrictive
52 4.7
tethering
6.3
constraining
1 6.3
limiting
3 3.5
impeding
5.7

Surface Forms

tethering singular
tetherings plural

Morphology

tethering = tether (semi-transparent) = tether + ing

The figurative sense extends the literal idea of restricting movement to restricting freedom or development, which is a metaphorical but still relatable extension.

Etymology

Tethering comes from the old idea of tying an animal with a rope, which makes it easy to picture being held back and is like the everyday word tie. That's why tethering can mean rules or control that keep someone 'from moving freely' or 'limit' their choices.