encumber

play

verb en·cum·ber \ in-ˈkəm-bər \

Definition of encumber

encumbered; encumbering play \in-ˈkəm-b(ə-)riŋ\

transitive verb

1 :weigh down, burden

tourists encumbered by heavy luggage

2 :to impede or hamper the function or activity of :hinder

negotiations encumbered by a lack of trust

3 :to burden with a legal claim (such as a mortgage)

encumber an estate

See encumber defined for English-language learners

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Examples of encumber in a Sentence

These rules will only encumber the people we're trying to help.
Lack of funding has encumbered the project.

Recent Examples of encumber from the Web

The council is not encumbered to follow the recommendations from the administration or the advisory board.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford planning board nixes big industrial rezoning request, supports most others," 10 Aug. 2017
Competing strategic imperatives will encumber PLA navy operations in the Indian Ocean.

— chicagotribune.com, "Who will win The Sino-Indian naval war of 2020?," 7 Aug. 2017
So a clean debt-limit bill could be quietly encumbered.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "GOP Struggles to Secure a ‘Clean’ Debt-Limit Increase," 3 Aug. 2017
Arnold and Hahn tend to encumber what seems a relatively straightforward thriller with surrealistic elements at odds with their Hitchcockian plot.

— f. kathleen foley, latimes.com, "‘Any Night's’ riveting performances and Hitchcockian thrills could soar on the big screen," 24 July 2017
A third factor helping low-cost long-haul travel is that airlines are less encumbered by generous labour contracts and unfunded pension costs than before.

— The Economist, "The little airline that couldNorwegian might still transform long-haul flying," 13 July 2017
Nationwide and around the globe, children and adults alike face days encumbered by hunger — 42 million total in the U.S., according to FeedingAmerica.org.

— samantha brodsky, Good Housekeeping, "Inspiring Army Veteran Builds "Blessing Box" on His Lawn for the Hungry," 12 July 2017
Toyota only has two victories, and both were from Martin Truex Jr. In Fords for Team Penske, Keselowski has two wins this season while Joey Logano has one, which is encumbered.

— michelle r. martinelli, USA TODAY, "Why Keselowski wants more manufacturers in NASCAR," 6 July 2017
As a result, Hamlin's win in the Irish Hills 250 was ruled encumbered.

— Detroit Free Press, "NASCAR: Denny Hamlin's Xfinity Series win at MIS ruled encumbered," 21 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'encumber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

encumber Has French Roots

In Old French, the noun "combre" meant a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy. Later, in Middle French, "combre" referred to a barrier, similar to a dam or weir, constructed in the bed of a river to hold back fish or protect the banks. That notion of holding back is what informs our verb "encumber," formed by combining en- and combre. One can be physically encumbered (as by a heavy load or severe weather), or figuratively (as by bureaucratic restrictions). "Combre" also gives us the adjectives "cumbersome" and "cumbrous," both meaning "awkward or difficult to handle."