hamper

1 of 2

verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering ˈham-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impede

Pitching … violently in the seaway, hampered by her heavy tow …

—R. S. Porteous

b

: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt

… radio communications hampered by static …

—Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada)

2

a

: to moderate or limit the effect or full exercise of : curb, restrain

a work environment that hampers creativity

b

: to interfere with : to impede the natural activity of : encumber

Bad weather hampered the search effort.

a project hampered by budget restraints

hamper

2 of 2

noun

: a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (such as food or laundry)

Synonyms of hamper

Verb

• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• embarrass

Choose the Right Synonym for hamper

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of hamper in a Sentence

Verb

The project was hampered by budget restraints.

Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After shoulder surgery in 2023, a full year of rehab in 2024 and a choppy 2025 comeback hampered by ankle tendinitis, a line-drive off his elbow and a lat strain in his back, Woodruff is ready to lead the rotation. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Did the injury hamper his athleticism? —Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026

Noun

Although meteor showers are annual occurrences, what matters is the moon — bright moonlight hampers observing. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026

While some clothes should always be washed after one use, other garments can be worn a few times before tossing them into the hamper, which is typically the case for jeans. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

Noun

Middle English hamper, hanaper, literally, case to hold goblets, from Anglo-French hanaper, from hanap goblet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hnæpp bowl

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamper

• top-hamper

Rhymes for hamper

• camper
• damper
• pamper
• scamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of

bad weather hampered the search

hamper

2 of 2 noun

: a large basket usually with a cover

a clothes hamper