encumber

en·cum·ber

transitive verb \in-ˈkəm-bər\

en·cum·bereden·cum·ber·ing\-b(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of ENCUMBER

1

: weigh down, burden <tourists encumbered by heavy luggage>

2

: to impede or hamper the function or activity of : hinder <negotiations encumbered by a lack of trust>

3

: to burden with a legal claim (as a mortgage) <encumber an estate>

Examples of ENCUMBER

1. These rules will only encumber the people we're trying to help.
2. Lack of funding has encumbered the project.

Origin of ENCUMBER

Middle English encombren, from Anglo-French encumbrer, from en- + Middle French combre dam, weir

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ENCUMBER

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, hamper, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

Rhymes with ENCUMBER

call number, cucumber, outnumber, prime number