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hob·ble | \ ˈhä-bəl 
\
\hobbled; hobbling\ ˈhä-b(ə-)liŋ \
\Definition of hobble
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty especially : to limp along
1 : to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
hobble
nounDefinition of hobble (Entry 2 of 2)
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Other Words from hobble
Verb
hobbler \ ˈhä-b(ə-)lər \ noun
\ nounSynonyms & Antonyms for hobble
Synonyms: Verb
- clog,
- cramp,
- embarrass,
- encumber,
- fetter,
- hamper,
- handcuff,
- handicap,
- hinder,
- hog-tie,
- hold back,
- hold up,
- impede,
- inhibit,
- interfere (with),
- manacle,
- obstruct,
- shackle,
- short-circuit,
- stymie,
- tie up,
- trammel
Antonyms: Verb
- aid,
- assist,
- facilitate,
- help
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Many may shut their doors permanently, hobbled by dwindling income and complicated social distancing rules.
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Rachel Swan, SFChronicle.com, "Who will watch the kids? Bay Area child care programs shutting down, leaving working parents with a dilemma," 8 May 2020 Disney’s profit plunges 91 percent as the company is hobbled by the pandemic.
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New York Times, "Wall Street Rallies for a Second Day as Oil Prices Rise: Live Updates," 5 May 2020 In the coming weeks or months when passenger air travel is hobbled by the pandemic, mail and freight are providing an essential lifeline to these air carriers.
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Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, "Mail and freight keep Alaska air carriers on life support during pandemic," 25 Apr. 2020 The only receiver Brady has any rhythm with is Edelman, and he is badly hobbled with knee and shoulder injuries.
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BostonGlobe.com, "CINCINNATI – Julian Edelman stood in the locker room following the Patriots’ 34-13 win over the Bengals, listing all of the great things the Patriots did Sunday.," 16 Dec. 2019 Backup Jeff Driskel, who made his first Lions start against the Bears at Soldier Field earlier this month, was hobbled by a hamstring injury.
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Colleen Kane, chicagotribune.com, "After a 1st-quarter shock, the Bears defense recovers to shut down rookie quarterback David Blough and the Lions," 28 Nov. 2019 Reffitt is the son of Gary Reffitt, a sub-2:20 marathoner and U.S. Olympic trials qualifier, who was favored to win the 1984 Detroit marathon but was hobbled by a cramp that year in the final miles.
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Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Mild temps kind to runners at Detroit Free Press/TCF Bank Marathon," 20 Oct. 2019 Pierce, who has run for 503 yards this season is the likely starter, as Jermar Jefferson remains hobbled with an ankle injury.
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oregonlive, "Oregon State Beavers at California Bears football: Preview, matchups, notes, how to watch," 18 Oct. 2019 On offense, the running game has produced 89 yards combined the past two weeks, and Mahomes has played below par — for him — while hobbled by a sore ankle.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "Chiefs’ run defense making opposing backs look like stars," 14 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The officers then connected the hobble to the girl’s handcuffs, forcing her into a sitting position, according to the lawsuit.
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Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, "Lawsuit alleges Broomfield police mistreated disabled girl during arrest after fight," 10 Dec. 2019 The good news is that nothing was fractured, though, so Austin is currently exploring downtown Nanjing at a steady hobble, sans crutches or boot.
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Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Out of the Darkness: Isaiah Austin Searches for Peace Without the NBA," 14 June 2019 At last, Isaac had broken into a run on his aching legs, and reached the hotel in an exhausted hobble.
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Adam O’fallon Price, Harper's magazine, "The Maid’s Story," 10 June 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hobble.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for hobble
hobble
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of hobble
: to walk with difficulty because of injury or weakness
: to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)
: to keep (an animal) from straying or wandering by tying two legs together
See the full definition for hobble in the English Language Learners Dictionary
hobble
verbhob·ble | \ ˈhä-bəl \
\hobbled; hobbling
Kids Definition of hobble
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to walk slowly and with difficulty
hobble
nounKids Definition of hobble (Entry 2 of 2)
: a slow and difficult way of walking
hobble
verbhob·ble | \ ˈhäb-əl \
\hobbled; hobbling\ -(ə-)liŋ \
\Medical Definition of hobble
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty especially : to limp along
1 : to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2 : to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying
hobble
nounMedical Definition of hobble (Entry 2 of 2)
: something used to hobble an animal
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Time Traveler for hobble
The first known use of hobble was in the 14th century
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