v. hin·dered, hin·der·ing, hin·ders v.tr. To obstruct or delay the progress of: a snowfall hindered the mountain climbers; lack of funds that hindered research. v.intr. To interfere with action or progress. [Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; see ko- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] hinder·er n. Synonyms: hinder1, hamper1, impede, obstruct, encumber These verbs mean to slow or prevent progress or movement. To hinder is to hold back or delay, as by barring the way forward: The unfair performance review threatened to hinder her career. Hamper suggests the imposition of restrictions or limitations: "He was a little hard of hearing; it hampered him in learning" (Oliver La Farge). To impede is to slow by making action or movement difficult: "[The] wagon proceeded down the street at a slow walk, impeded by the crush of curiosity seekers" (Stephen O'Connor). Obstruct implies the presence of obstacles: Passage of the bill was obstructed by a filibuster. To encumber is to weigh down, as with complications or difficulties: "[King] Leopold particularly envied the Hapsburgs because, unlike him, they were little encumbered by parliaments and constitutions" (Adam Hochschild). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.