tethered

[teth-erd] / ˈtɛð ərd /

ADJECTIVE

restricted

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barred blocked closed confined controlled defined deprived prescribed reduced restrained secured shortened

STRONG

bound bounded bridled chained checked clogged cramped curbed decreased deterred diminished encircled fastened fettered foiled frustrated governed hampered hitched impeded inhibited manacled moderated modified narrowed obstructed prevented repressed stayed stopped suppressed surrounded tempered

WEAK

held-back reined in small

Antonyms

STRONG

free unbounded

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As Gemini’s conversation with Gavalas became less tethered to reality, the bot’s safeguards appeared to relax, and it reinforced Gavalas’s belief that they had merged into a single entity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

These four new episodes feel structurally tethered to the mothership.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Standing beside a row of tethered punts on the River Stour, boatman James Matharu says while he has heard about other businesses getting cancellations, things are "still pretty busy here".

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Hailing from a different strain of the Shia faith, the Houthis are less ideologically tethered to Iran and have long enjoyed more independence from Tehran than other proxies in the Middle East.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Like a tethered goat, so far and no farther.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

Vocabulary lists containing tethered

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

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Life Is So Good

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Far from the Tree

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!