to enfetter

Examples

• All

• We must not let outdated traditions enfetter our progress as a society.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• We must not let outdated traditions enfetter our progress as a society.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

C

to confine

vsto enfetter

215 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

C

to constrain

vsto enfetter

64 5.6

To limit what someone can do or how they can act

emphasizes curbing aspirations or creativity rather than only restricting choices

I

to inhibit

vsto enfetter

11 6.3

Make someone unable to act naturally or show feelings

targets limiting ambitions or creativity rather than internal emotional control

E

to encumber

vsto enfetter

9 7.6

To make it difficult for someone or something to act

focuses on obstruction or burden rather than intentional limitation of aims

B

to box in

vsto enfetter

8 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

F

to fetter

vsto enfetter

3 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

C

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

B

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

O

to overcontrol

vsto enfetter

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

E

to encage

vsto enfetter

7.7

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

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

C

to clip someone's wings

vsto enfetter

• Informal

7.5

Stop someone from using their power or doing what they want

is more general, applying to any restriction not only lost potential

Antonyms

L

to liberate

104 4.3

Set someone free from prison or unfair control

U

to untether

1 6.2

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

How Restricted

to enslave

• NSFW

101 5.7

to enfetter

• Archaic

9.9

to restrain

86 4.6

to restrict

361 3.1

to bind

132 3.2

to chain

130 2.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology