What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
handcuff
Example
The police officer handcuffed the suspect and put him in the back of the car. [handcuffed: past tense]
Example
They had to handcuff the prisoner to prevent him from escaping. [handcuff: verb]
manacle
Example
The prisoner was manacled and led away to his cell. [manacled: past tense]
Example
The slave traders would often manacle their captives to prevent them from escaping. [manacle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Handcuff is more commonly used than manacle in everyday language. Handcuff is a term that is widely recognized and used in law enforcement and criminal justice contexts, while manacle is less common and may be used more in historical or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between handcuff and manacle?
Both handcuff and manacle are formal terms that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as law enforcement or criminal justice.
