hamper

1 of 2

verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering ˈham-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impede

pitching … violently in the seaway, hampered by her heavy tow

—R. S. Porteous

b

: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt

radio communications hampered by static

—Globe & Mail

2

a

: to moderate or limit the effect or full exercise of : curb, restrain

a work environment that hampers creativity

b

: to interfere with : to impede the natural activity of : encumber

Bad weather hampered the search effort.

a project hampered by budget restraints

hamper

2 of 2

noun

: a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (such as food or laundry)

Synonyms

Verb

• 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

Choose the Right Synonym for hamper

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of hamper in a Sentence

Verb

The project was hampered by budget restraints.

Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Home prices rose 6 percent in January from the same month a year ago, according to the Case-Shiller home price index, and many potential buyers worry that prices will continue to soar, hampering their ability to afford a home later. —Gregory Schmidt, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

The latest snowfall forecast from the NWS shows that Milwaukee is expected only to get trace amounts of accumulation, with up to 1 inch further west in Waukesha, as the day's temperatures, sun angle and low snowfall rate hampered accumulation. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

While a lack of power is hampering projects in Europe’s industrial heartland, places that do have abundant green electricity show signs of promise. —John Ainger, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024

Citywide budget cutbacks and financial struggles within the cannabis industry hampered fundraising efforts and led to the cancellation, organizers said. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Bochy also pointed out that injuries hampered the bullpen last season. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2024

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden sought to explain to Netanyahu why the plan for Rafah could prove catastrophic for Palestinian civilians and hamper the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. —Helen Regan, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024

Donald Trump’s New York hush-money criminal trial was delayed Friday until at least mid-April as the judge seeks answers about a last-minute evidence dump that the former president’s lawyers said has hampered their ability to prepare their defense. —Michael R. Sisak, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Mar. 2024

The distribution of aid in northern Gaza has also been hampered by the collapse of law and order. —Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024

Noun

Then go around with a hamper and collect any dirty laundry. —Life Kit, NPR, 28 Mar. 2024

Far from being an eyesore, this hamper boasts lightweight yet sturdy bamboo slats built to endure for years. —Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2024

Don't allow piles of dirty, sweaty clothes and damp towels to accumulate in the hamper. —Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024

Washington, Europe and others say that Beijing improperly hampers access to emerging industries and steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology. —Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024

Drawer upon drawer reveals antique pens, watches, clocks, cuff links, medals, lighters, more hood ornaments including a bulldog and assorted devils, a complete set of maps for the early British motorist, and a full dining set in a hamper. —Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2024

The study found that the lower someone's income, the higher their tax rate, which lets the wealthy off the hook and hampers states' ability to raise revenue. —Harold Maass, The Week Us, theweek, 10 Jan. 2024

Incorrect mask usage, prevalent despite high mask adoption, hampers effectiveness. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024

And once your clothes are no longer clean, the zippered pouch makes an excellent dirty laundry hamper. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

Noun

Middle English hamper, hanaper, literally, case to hold goblets, from Anglo-French hanaper, from hanap goblet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hnæpp bowl

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamper

• top-hamper

Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of

bad weather hampered the search

hamper

2 of 2 noun

: a large basket usually with a cover

a clothes hamper