hinder

verb

hin·​der ˈhin-dər 

hindered; hindering 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

ˈhin-dər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of hinder

• impede
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass

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

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 on the Web

And that obsession can really hinder people’s aspirations, hinder people’s growth. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026

This structural debt was hindering basic operations and the company’s ability to serve customers, especially as clients’ technology needs evolve. —Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Gansey is already at work as Philadelphia's latest president of basketball operations, trying to find ways to raise the team to a championship level, while deeply hindered by near-untradeable, unwanted contracts tied to aging and unreliable Joel Embiid and Paul George. —CBS News, 8 June 2026

With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes. —Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing hinder

• hinder from

Rhymes for hinder

• cinder
• linder
• tinder
• winder

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