encumber

en·cum·ber

verb \in-ˈkəm-bər\

en·cum·bereden·cum·ber·ing\-b(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of ENCUMBER

transitive verb

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

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Rhymes with ENCUMBER

call number, cucumber, outnumber, prime number