hinder

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verb

hin·​der ˈhin-dər How to pronounce hinder (audio)
hindered; hindering ˈhin-d(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce hinder (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to make slow or difficult the progress of : hamper
Their journey was hindered by snow and high winds.
economic growth hindered by sanctions
2
: to hold back : prevent, check
His financial troubles hindered him from buying a home.

intransitive verb

: to delay, impede, or prevent action
uncertain whether the changes would help or hinder
hinderer noun

hinder

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adjective

hind·​er ˈhīn-dər How to pronounce hinder (audio)
: situated behind or in the rear : posterior
a long oval forward part and a taillike hinder portionR. E. Coker
Choose the Right Synonym for hinder

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of hinder in a Sentence

Verb The witness refused to cooperate, hindering the investigation. The country's economic growth is being hindered by the sanctions. It's not clear whether the change will help or hinder our project. Adjective the animal's case of mange was especially bad in its hinder parts
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Jermaine Johnson’s absence due to a season-ending Achilles injury has hindered the Jets’ pass rush. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 8 Dec. 2024 Trump frequently criticized Powell during his first term, accusing the Fed of keeping rates too high and hindering economic growth. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Below, 18 members of Forbes Coaches Council share examples of how honing the right attitude can accelerate, or hinder, one’s career progression. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 Both Hankins and Coster pleaded guilty to one count of hindering prosecution in the first degree, a class 5 felony, on November 8, 2022. Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hinder 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old English hinder behind

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English hinder, adverb — see hinder entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hinder was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hinder

Cite this Entry

“Hinder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hinder. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

hinder

verb
hin·​der
ˈhin-dər
hindered; hindering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to make slow or difficult : hamper
progress was hindered by bad weather
2
: to hold back : check

More from Merriam-Webster on hinder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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