hobble

1 of 2

verb

hob·​ble ˈhä-bəl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling ˈhä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio) ; hobbles

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty
especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1
: to cause to limp : disable
2
[probably alteration of hopple to hobble]
a
: to fasten together the legs of (an animal, such as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter
b
: to place under handicap : hamper, impede
hobbler noun
plural hobblers

hobble

2 of 2

noun

1
: a hobbling movement
2
archaic : an awkward situation
3
: something used to hobble an animal

Examples of hobble in a Sentence

Verb She picked up her cane and hobbled across the room. She is sometimes hobbled by self-doubt. He has been hobbled by a knee injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The pervasive graying of the population and protracted population decline will hobble economic growth and cripple social welfare systems in rich countries, threatening their very prospects for continued prosperity. Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024 Health will be paramount, particularly for Embiid, who has routinely been hobbled in the playoffs throughout this career. Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024
Noun
After the hobble was applied, Ellis stopped moving, the statement said. CBS News, 22 Jan. 2024 Company Town As a Hollywood writers’ strike hobbles production, L.A. businesses brace for ripple effects May 4, 2023 Meanwhile, ISS Props tapped into the content-creator market, providing fake weights for fitness influencers and rubber weapons for internet pranksters. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hobble 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hobble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hobble was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hobble

Cite this Entry

“Hobble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hobble. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb
hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio)
1
a
: to walk with difficulty : limp
hobble along on crutches
b
: to cause to walk with difficulty
hobbled by an ankle injury
2
a
: to keep from straying by tying two legs together
hobble a horse

hobble

2 of 2 noun
1
: a hobbling walk
2
: something used to hobble an animal

Medical Definition

hobble

1 of 2 verb
hob·​ble ˈhäb-əl How to pronounce hobble (audio)
hobbled; hobbling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce hobble (audio)

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty
especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1
: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2
: to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying

hobble

2 of 2 noun
: something used to hobble an animal

More from Merriam-Webster on hobble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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