Skip to main content
to enfetter

to enfetter

1 9.9
To limit someone's freedom or creativity
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈfɛtər/
  • Archaic
: atrapar
  • The oppressive regime sought to enfetter the citizens' freedoms.

Examples

  • We must not let outdated traditions enfetter our progress as a society.

  • Don't enfetter your ambitions with self-doubt!

  • She felt the strict policies at work enfettered her creativity.

  • They tried to enfetter her creativity.

  • The oppressive regime sought to enfetter the citizens' freedoms.

  • She felt the strict policies at work enfettered her creativity.

  • We must not let outdated traditions enfetter our progress as a society.

Synonyms

to confine
vsto enfetter
111 4.2

Keep someone or something within limits, for example in a small space

focuses more on limiting ambitions or creativity rather than physical space
to constrain
vsto enfetter
53 5.6

To limit what someone can do or how they can act

emphasizes curbing aspirations or creativity rather than only restricting choices
to box in
vsto enfetter
16 4.7

To stop a person or thing from moving, acting freely and making choices

is broader, stressing the act of restricting freedom or aspiration overall
to encumber
vsto enfetter
6 7.6

To make it difficult for someone or something to act

focuses on obstruction or burden rather than intentional limitation of aims
to clip someone's wings
vsto enfetter
  • Informal
3 7.5

Stop someone from using their power or doing what they want

is more general, applying to any restriction not only lost potential
to inhibit
vsto enfetter
2 6.3

Make someone unable to act naturally or show feelings

targets limiting ambitions or creativity rather than internal emotional control
to fetter
vsto enfetter
1 8.7

To tie or chain someone's feet to stop them moving freely

is broader, meaning limitation of freedom or creativity not only physical
to clip the wings
vsto enfetter
  • Informal
1 7.2

To limit someone's freedom, power, or plans

is a general limiting term that also covers creative or aspirational limits
to bind hand and foot
vsto enfetter
  • Informal
1 8.0

To stop someone completely from acting freely

describes total immobilization while the other covers general restriction
to overcontrol
vsto enfetter
1 7.2

To tell someone what to do too much and stop their independence

covers excessive restriction but the other can mean any limiting action
to encage
vsto enfetter
1 7.7

To keep a person, idea, or feeling within strict limits

is used more for limiting freedom or creative aims not just enclosure

Antonyms

202 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

1 6.2

To free someone or something from limits so they can act more freely

How Restricted

to enslave
  • NSFW
99 5.7
to enfetter
  • Archaic
1 9.9
to restrain
233 4.6
to restrict
188 3.1
to bind
64 3.2
to chain
58 2.3

Surface Forms

enfetter infinitive
enfettered past
enfettered past participle
enfettering present participle
enfetters third person singular

Morphology

enfetter = fetter (transparent) = en + fetter

The prefix 'en-' is used to form verbs meaning to cause to be in a certain state, in this case, to cause to be fettered.

Etymology

The word enfetter comes from the parts en- meaning 'in' and fetter meaning 'shackle' or 'chain'. So, to enfetter someone is to 'put them in chains', and today it means to strongly limit a person's freedom or creativity.