Main Entry:

¹hin·der

Pronunciation:

\ˈhin-dər\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

hin·dered; hin·der·ing \-d(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old English hinder behind

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to make slow or difficult the progress of : hamper 2 : to hold back : check intransitive verb : to delay, impede, or prevent action

— hin·der·er \-dər-ər\ noun

synonyms hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress <rain hindered the climb>. impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering <tight clothing that impedes movement>. obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way <the view was obstructed by billboards>. block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress <a landslide blocked the road>.