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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of encumber
Reviving his carefree youth while accepting success, though being encumbered by humility, does more than present the performer as his best self.
—
Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The anti-coercion instrument is encumbered with legalistic safeguards intended to ensure that the European Commission will not deploy it without sufficient approval from EU member states.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
No longer encumbered by the demands put on the country's top diplomat, Kuleba has been speaking frankly on Kyiv's situation and outlook since departing his former role.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
As a marginalized population, Jennings said the North End is encumbered with poverty, racial discrimination, low employment rates, and low levels of home ownership.
—Julianna D’addona, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The anti-coercion instrument is encumbered with legalistic safeguards intended to ensure that the European Commission will not deploy it without sufficient approval from EU member states.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
No longer encumbered by the demands put on the country's top diplomat, Kuleba has been speaking frankly on Kyiv's situation and outlook since departing his former role.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
As a marginalized population, Jennings said the North End is encumbered with poverty, racial discrimination, low employment rates, and low levels of home ownership.
—Julianna D’addona, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
Verb
-
Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But if the government doesn't reopen soon, these cards will not be loaded.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Three Jays pushed runs across with the bases loaded in the sixth.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, challenges such as battery weight, regulation, safety, and scalability still hinder most projects.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Did the leaks hinder your creative approach to making music?—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Advocates say the push burdens states with duplicative verification checks and could lead people to lose coverage just for missing paperwork deadlines.—
Phil Galewitz,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The researchers wanted to understand how moment-to-moment social experiences, especially with friends, might act as a buffer against loneliness, and whether this effect depends on how burdened caregivers feel.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After the gargantuan task of playing a six-hour and 39-minute baseball game, it was almost expected that the Dodgers would be somewhat hampered, but the Toronto Blue Jays not only had the same circumstances, but handily won Game 4.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Turn on music or a podcast and fill a few spare minutes wiping down surfaces, dusting, or putting things away.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In a recent episode of Apple TV's The Reluctant Traveler, the Prince of Wales opened up to host Eugene Levy about the late Duke of Edinburgh’s famously sharp (and occasionally unintentional) sense of humor, recalling how much laughter filled their family gatherings.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
-
She was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felonious assault and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, investigators said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share