1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the claim that all of these regulations encumber doctors, taking time away from the actual practice of medicine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on
don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encumber
His brand of athleticism is predicated on a bouncy explosiveness that shouldn’t be encumbered with unnecessary bulking.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
It will be encumbered neither by norms nor the exigencies that compel speech in a democratic society.
—Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
The department is required to be paid fair market value for any land that is purchased, rented or encumbered, according to a September 2025 appraisal of the property.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Most of the properties, which are owned by LLCs, are delinquent on tax obligations while some are encumbered by mortgages that are in default —racking up penalties and interest, Seward added.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
It will be encumbered neither by norms nor the exigencies that compel speech in a democratic society.
—Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
The department is required to be paid fair market value for any land that is purchased, rented or encumbered, according to a September 2025 appraisal of the property.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Most of the properties, which are owned by LLCs, are delinquent on tax obligations while some are encumbered by mortgages that are in default —racking up penalties and interest, Seward added.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
Verb
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The score was immediately protested by the Australians, who felt their goalkeeper had been impeded or there was an offside.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
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Too large a rotor can obstruct your suspension, impede your brakes and often won’t even fit inside your wheel or caliper.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Still, 20 minutes before the shooting started, Payton walked back to his car parked at 10th and J to pick up his Glock 19 handgun, loaded with an 18-round clip.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
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The duo then wheels the mower down the walkway and loads it onto their trailer before taking off.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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As President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys soldiers and orders probes into police corruption, widespread allegations of collusion with syndicates deepen residents’ mistrust and hinder investigations into such brazen attacks.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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More than four years since the start of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine, the more than 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has remained largely static as swarms of drones hinder advances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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And that’s because she’s no longer burdened by the anxiety of having to give 100% to everyone all the time.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
19 June 2026
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Industry experts and executives predict that increasing administrative complexities from new regulations will disproportionately burden smaller PBMs, driving further acquisitions and mergers as companies seek scale and capital to meet evolving market demands and client accountability.—
Bruce Japsen,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Popular notions of philanthropy as merely a game for the ultrawealthy to fund partisan projects and commit fraud have left the sector vulnerable to political attacks, as the Council on Foundations sees it, influencing policies that hamper essential community services.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
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Congolese health authorities have previously said contact tracing has been hampered by community resistance in some areas and by the rapid expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the workload for surveillance teams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The front entrance is teeming with a few dozen people, filled with colorful artwork and a TV monitor showing old video of a train that used to run through the property.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Instead of a sea of Chiefs red, the stands were filled with Argentine blue and white.—
Travis Heying,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Verb
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He was recaptured and indicted on a charge of obstructing a pending immigration proceeding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Jose was accused of obstructing officers and was fined $150 or face one month in prison.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Critics wondered whether prices would crash before kickoff, and if swathes of empty seats would embarrass FIFA’s pricing strategy.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
With no league and no roadmap, a ragtag group of players and an unlikely coach endured a grueling two-year training camp, hoping simply not to embarrass their nation at the first-ever World Cup on American soil.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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