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clog

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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
The Crocs, which came out in green and pink colorways, were also released alongside matching clogs for their human companions. Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025 Your big toes are breaking through the ventilation holes of your plastic clogs. Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Workslop, much like Shrimp Jesus or those big-eyed crying cats clogging your social feeds, has a patina of human craftsmanship. Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025 Quagga mussels and golden mussels, fingernail-sized invaders infesting California waterways, clog the water pumps and pipes responsible for distributing water to millions of people and vast stretches of farmland. Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clog
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clog
Noun
  • Over the next 12 months, HMS will gain access to mentorship, commercial opportunities, business and legal advisory, digital tools, and physical resources such as co-working spaces and wet labs, support designed to help early-stage companies overcome common obstacles that startups face.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The permit problem According to Saltzer, capture is lagging because, despite available storage and existing pipelines, permitting new CO2 infrastructure remains a major obstacle.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Kobach has petitioned top Republican lawmakers to convene a special session with the goal of blocking the Kansas Department of Revenue from resuming its practice of accommodating gender marker change requests, according to a letter sent to GOP lawmakers and obtained by The Star.
    Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Learn how Louisville's Adidas and University of Kentucky's Nike contracts could block the new revenue stream.
    Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors say Comey lied about authorizing an FBI source to speak to the media about the investigation and obstructed Congress by making false statements intended to impede lawmakers’ probe into the FBI’s actions, according to a copy of the indictment obtained by The Washington Post.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Another lottery pick, Leo Carlsson, twice impeded Utah’s progress up the ice.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The additional hurdle for H-1B visas—a category for high-skilled workers that many tech companies rely upon—could undermine America’s ability to attract top tech talent, Bansal explained.
    Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Of course, there’s still a final hurdle for Cootes to leap over in the final week of the preseason.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Griffith and CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening are facing charges, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, obstructing a highway and obstructing an emergency responder.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After being hampered by injuries late in his time with the Royals, Keller is healthy and happy to be part of Chicago’s bullpen.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The appointment ends a three-month mayoral vacancy that has been hampering efforts to repair the city's aging, leak-prone water system.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • He has been charged with armed kidnapping, willful injury, domestic abuse assault with the intent to inflict serious injuries and obstruction of emergency communications, according to public court records.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Bondi’s appearance on Fox News comes days after Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury on two of three counts sought by prosecutors, one count of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, according to documents.
    Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Corrections Department budget increases wages for corrections officers but also makes tens of millions of dollars in cuts by eliminating programs and administrative costs and funding for positions that have not been filled.
    Paul Egan, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This time of year, its lot is filled with mums and pumpkins.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clog.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clog. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on clog

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