hobble

play

verb hob·ble \ ˈhä-bəl \

Definition of hobble

hobbled; hobbling play \ˈhä-b(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

1 :to cause to limp :make lame :cripple

[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

play \ˈhä-b(ə-)lər\ noun

See hobble defined for English-language learners

See hobble defined for kids

Examples of hobble in a Sentence

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 of hobble from the Web

But the coalition's air strikes have been heavily criticized for killing civilians, hobbling infrastructure, and destroying the country's architectural heritage.

— chicagotribune.com, "Confidential UN report accuses Saudi coalition of killing hundreds of children in Yemen conflict," 17 Aug. 2017
After a multiyear review, the regulator concluded that excessive regulatory duties are hobbling bank boards and distracting directors from the more important work of guiding bank strategy and adopting effective governance at their institutions.

— gretchen morgenson, New York Times, "The Fed Wants to Make Life Easier for Big-Bank Directors," 11 Aug. 2017
Gates was hobbled and needed reconstructive great toe surgery.

— profootballdoc, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Looking back: Hurt of '07 AFC Championship immense for L.T., Chargers, San Diego," 10 Aug. 2017
But the topsy-turvy regulatory ride may have already hobbled businesses by creating uncertainty that insurers loathe.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "Trump, McConnell Blaming Each Other for Failing to Kill Obamacare. Who’s Right?," 9 Aug. 2017
Right now, the show is hobbling toward that big reveal, and fans are kind of grasping at straws to fill the void with their own answers.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Do These Game of Thrones Prophecies Actually Reveal How the Series Will End?," 3 Aug. 2017
Regardless, losing Sessions would politically hobble Trump in a serious way going forward.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Losing Jeff Sessions Means Losing Immigration Reform with Him," 25 July 2017
In New York and New Jersey, the relative shortage of participating doctors has hobbled medical marijuana programs.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Medical Cannabis Education Tour launches Tuesday in Philly," 24 July 2017
The silencer measure, which sponsors, with straight faces, are calling the Hearing Protection Act, would hobble that defense.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: This Open was a barrel of monkeys," 19 June 2017

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of hobble

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

hobble Synonyms

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hamper, 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

hobble

noun

Definition of hobble

1 :a hobbling movement

2 archaic :an awkward situation

3 :something used to hobble an animal

First Known Use of hobble

1726

HOBBLE Defined for English Language Learners

hobble

play

verb

Definition of hobble for English Language Learners

: 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

HOBBLE Defined for Kids

hobble

play

verb hob·ble \ ˈhä-bəl \

Definition of hobble for Students

hobbled; hobbling

:to walk slowly and with difficulty

hobble

noun

Definition of hobble for Students

:a slow and difficult way of walking

Medical Dictionary

hobble

play

verb hob·ble \ ˈhäb-əl \

medical Definition of hobble

hobbled; hobbling play \-(ə-)liŋ\

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

noun

medical Definition of hobble

:something used to hobble an animal

Learn More about hobble

See words that rhyme with hobble Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hobble Spanish Central: Translation of hobble Nglish: Translation of hobble for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hobble for Arabic speakers

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Examples of hobble in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of hobble

hobble Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

hobble

Definition of hobble

First Known Use of hobble

HOBBLE Defined for English Language Learners

hobble

Definition of hobble for English Language Learners

HOBBLE Defined for Kids

hobble

Definition of hobble for Students

hobble

Definition of hobble for Students

Medical Dictionary

hobble

medical Definition of hobble

hobble

medical Definition of hobble

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