clog 1 of 2

clog

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb clog contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clog are fetter, hamper, manacle, shackle, and trammel. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

Where would fetter be a reasonable alternative to clog?

While in some cases nearly identical to clog, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

When might hamper be a better fit than clog?

The synonyms hamper and clog are sometimes interchangeable, but hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

How does the word shackle relate to other synonyms for clog?

Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny

When can trammel be used instead of clog?

The words trammel and clog are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clog
Noun
Original price: $22 Reminiscent of Ugg slippers, these Sonoma clog slippers come in at a more affordable price. Christopher Murray May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025 At the top of my list are faux-suede bags and jackets, comfortable clogs and boots, and lightweight sweaters that are ideal for layering, and prices start at just $25. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
The buildup can also clog sewage systems, leading to overflows that send raw sewage into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 Without steady production to keep the crude in motion, the pipelines could soon clog. Lora Myers, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clog
Noun
  • Still, recent history has thrown obstacles in the way of developers’ timelines for Sacramento-area sports venues.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • It was struck down, eliminating an obstacle for those lawsuits to get to trial.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Violence has intensified, humanitarian aid remains blocked, and political prisoners, including my mother, remain behind bars.
    Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
  • And most seniors have been blocked from accessing the drugs, because Medicare is legally barred from covering weight-loss drugs.
    Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Separately, industry experts point to fundamental technical hurdles.
    Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The landfill project has faced several hurdles and drawn the ire of residents since 2024, when Chisholm filed an application for a permit.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is facing federal charges for allegedly obstructing agents trying to arrest an undocumented immigrant.
    John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • But the detectives thought there was evidence to support a charge for obstructing an officer—a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail—because Ryan had planted physical evidence meant to mislead them.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Damage to the blood-brain barrier leads to inflammation within the brain and hampers the clearance of waste products like beta-amyloid protein (seen in Alzheimer's disease).
    Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
  • All of these issues combined have left Target with a workforce that has grown faster than sales and a complex corporate structure that has hampered decision-making and created needless red tape.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge,Annie Palmer,Frank Holland, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The filing, entered Monday by Comey’s legal defense team, confirms that evidence collected in the leak investigation, codenamed Arctic Haze, is central to the Justice Department’s false-statement and obstruction case against him.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Dodgers could add Tucker to fill the massive hole in their outfield.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Beijing — When Ho Puay-peng first visited Beijing’s Forbidden City in the late 1980s, the Singaporean architect saw many of the historic courtyards used for storage, filled with garbage, and occupied by danwei (government offices).
    Fred He, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clog. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!