encumber

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verb

Definition of ENCUMBER

1

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 clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

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

Antonyms aid, assist, facilitate, help

2

to place a weight or burden on <don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move>

Synonyms burden, encumber, freight, lade, laden, lumber, saddle, weight

Related Words clog, clutter, fill, pack; heap, mound, pile, stack; press, weigh; strain, tax; overburden, overload, overtax, surcharge; hamper, handicap; afflict, oppress

Near Antonyms alleviate, ease, lighten, relieve

Antonyms disburden, discharge, disencumber, unburden, unlade, unload