Synonyms of hinder

hinder 1 of 2

verb

ˈhin-dər 

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

was not hindered by a lack of money because she could use what food she had on hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass
• inhibit
• stymie
• handicap
• delay
• interfere (with)
• disrupt
• encumber
• restrain
• block
• cramp
• constrain
• hobble
• clog
• tie up
• fetter
• shackle
• hold back
• thwart
• handcuff
• short-circuit
• frustrate
• trammel
• stifle
• hog-tie
• curb
• give a hard time
• tie
• bind
• manacle
• retard
• cramp one's style
• rein
• hold up
• retain
• brake
• check
• balk
• derail
• strangle
• arrest
• confine
• sabotage
• tether
• bog (down)
• choke
• barricade
• baffle
• chain
• blockade
• smother
• leash
• suffocate
• repress
• foil
• roadblock
• mire
• suppress
• muzzle
• halter
• stump
• hedge (in)
• hem (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• facilitate
• assist
• aid
• open
• clear
• liberate
• make way
• release
• promote
• encourage
• free
• loosen
• unclog
• unplug
• smooth
• unstop
• further
• untie

hinder

2 of 2

adjective

ˈhīn-dər 

as in rear

being at or in the part of something opposite the front part

the animal's case of mange was especially bad in its hinder parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rear
• back
• hind
• aft
• after
• posterior
• dorsal
• rearward
• hindmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• front
• anterior
• forward
• frontal
• fore
• ventral

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hinder contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hinder are block, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

Where would block be a reasonable alternative to hinder?

The words block and hinder can be used in similar contexts, but block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When would impede be a good substitute for hinder?

The words impede and hinder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When could obstruct be used to replace hinder?

The meanings of obstruct and hinder largely overlap; however, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hinder

Verb

The location of his injury has led some to wonder if he’ll be hindered — Judge did slump for a few weeks while playing through pain prior to going on the IL — but Boone didn’t share those concerns on Tuesday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

The fact a majority of them belong to people who traveled from another country and the conditions of the desert itself both complicate efforts to identify remains, therefore hindering missing persons cases, experts say. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026

The charges are hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct, a Class A misdemeanor, and disrupting a meeting or procession, a Class B misdemeanor. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

His call-up to the 40-man roster, however, means the Mariners cannot contact him during a potential December 1st lockout, which could hinder his development. — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026