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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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Prosecutors say Comey lied about authorizing an FBI source to speak to the media about the investigation and obstructed Congress by making false statements intended to impede lawmakers’ probe into the FBI’s actions, according to a copy of the indictment obtained by The Washington Post.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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Another lottery pick, Leo Carlsson, twice impeded Utah’s progress up the ice.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Harrison loaded the bases and gave up an RBI single and two-run double, Cora could wait no longer.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
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Morgan Wallen is locked and loaded in a new teaser for Battlefield 6.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These gaps have long hindered the growth of private assets in investor portfolios.—
Henry Fernandez,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
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Lower mortgage rates, which have fallen in recent weeks in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates for the first time since December 2024, are helping get buyers back to the market—but experts think that a government shutdown might hinder their return.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Enocch Marshall’s no stranger to being cost-burdened or living paycheck-to-paycheck.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, water and wastewater operators at over 50,000 public water systems across the United States are already burdened by the complex, technical and constantly changing job of making sure their cities and towns are supplied with clean water.—
Jenna McLaughlin,
NPR,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Education experts are raising awareness about an opportunity gap existing in schools and are worried that school equity may be hampered by the next state budget.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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The removal of Helena-West Helena's mayor in July has hampered efforts to repair the city's aging water infrastructure, according to local officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The fall sale is here at Nordstrom, and it’s filled with deals on top brands and trendy looks for every style and budget.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
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The appointments of Stacie Brown and Monty Baugh in March 2024 filled the remaining seats on the board.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Small pieces of metal or plastic could obstruct airways, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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In a July 29 post to the social media platform, Minniear included snaps of himself and some picturesque locations, as well as a shot of Goulding laying nude in bed with her arm, side and thigh visible but face mostly obstructed.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Epstein scandal continues to embarrass the British royal family, even years after Jeffrey Epstein’s death.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
26 Sep. 2025
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Me, a beautiful and clever five-time Emmy-winning writer with a few Wednesday nights free, and The Golden Bachelor, a heartwarming and adorable exploration of women’s second acts with a male doofus at the center who has already embarrassed himself.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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