hinder

verb hin·der \ ˈhin-dər \

Definition of hinder

hindered; hindering play \ˈhin-d(ə-)riŋ\

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

play \ˈhin-dər-ər\ noun

See hinder defined for English-language learners

See hinder defined for kids

Examples of hinder in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of hinder from the Web

The Phillies will be hindered during the rest of the season by their scuffling starters.

— matt breen, Philly.com, "Rhys Hoskins homers again, but Phillies get crushed by Cubs," 26 Aug. 2017
Andresearch shows that doing these things in excess hinders our kids' social and emotional development.

— juli fraga, Woman's Day, "Does "Spoiling" Your Kids Really Hurt Their Long-Term Progress?," 24 Aug. 2017
The Pi Delta Psi brothers pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and hindering apprehension.

— jay caspian kang, New York Times, "What a Fraternity Hazing Death Revealed About the Painful Search for an Asian-American Identity," 9 Aug. 2017
Among the questions Simpson and her supporters might be asked: Should the public be thanking Children's instead of hindering it from helping more sick kids and adding jobs?

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Will asking Children's to cough up millions more backfire on Yvette Simpson?," 8 Aug. 2017
But the scrutiny that has accompanied Mr Kushner’s White House role appears to be hindering, not helping.

— The Economist, "Searching for a Kushy landingThe Trump presidency may not have helped Kushner Companies," 20 July 2017
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans are moving forward with legislation to roll back the Endangered Species Act, amid complaints that the 44-year-old law hinders drilling, logging and other activities.

— matthew daly, The Seattle Times, "GOP targets Endangered Species Act as protections lifted," 19 July 2017
Science advocacy groups have fought Smith tooth and nail, saying that his proposals would hinder NSF’s ability to support multidisciplinary research and to respond quickly to unexpected opportunities across the entire scientific landscape.

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Why a flat 2018 budget could tie NSF’s hands," 14 July 2017
Q: What’s the biggest factor hindering people’s ability to move up economically?

— kate macarthur, chicagotribune.com, "It's getting harder for kids to move up the economic ladder. He's got ideas how to fix that.," 13 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of hinder

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

hinder Synonyms

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hamper, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

Synonym Discussion of 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

hinder

adjective hind·er \ ˈhīn-dər \

Definition of hinder

:situated behind or in the rear :posterior

a long oval forward part and a taillike hinder portion
—R. E. Coker

Examples of hinder in a Sentence

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

Origin and Etymology of hinder

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

hinder Synonyms

Synonyms

aft, after, hind, back, hindmost, posterior, rear, rearward

Antonyms

anterior, fore, forward, front, frontal

Related Words

dorsal

Near Antonyms

ventral

HINDER Defined for English Language Learners

hinder

verb

Definition of hinder for English Language Learners

: to make (something, such as a task or action) slow or difficult

HINDER Defined for Kids

hinder

verb hin·der \ ˈhin-dər \

Definition of hinder for Students

hindered; hindering

:to make slow or difficult

Snow and high winds hindered our progress.

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hinderer

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hinder

Definition of hinder

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hinder Synonyms

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