1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
the claim that all of these regulations encumber doctors, taking time away from the actual practice of medicine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on
don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encumber
The land is thus financially encumbered and won’t be availble to be leased or sold until 2031 or after.
—
Eric Adler
august 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025
Reviving his carefree youth while accepting success, though being encumbered by humility, does more than present the performer as his best self.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The anti-coercion instrument is encumbered with legalistic safeguards intended to ensure that the European Commission will not deploy it without sufficient approval from EU member states.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
No longer encumbered by the demands put on the country's top diplomat, Kuleba has been speaking frankly on Kyiv's situation and outlook since departing his former role.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Eric Adler
august 23, Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2025
Reviving his carefree youth while accepting success, though being encumbered by humility, does more than present the performer as his best self.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
The anti-coercion instrument is encumbered with legalistic safeguards intended to ensure that the European Commission will not deploy it without sufficient approval from EU member states.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
No longer encumbered by the demands put on the country's top diplomat, Kuleba has been speaking frankly on Kyiv's situation and outlook since departing his former role.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
Verb
-
Aid groups say the true war death toll could be many times higher, as the fighting in vast and remote areas impedes access.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Although privacy advocates have praised the ability of encryption to effectively scramble messages so third parties are unable to snoop on people’s conversations, various members of law enforcement have said that doing so impedes their ability to investigate certain crimes.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The snowpack the skiers had been travelling on had a weak layer that had been loaded up with snow, making conditions ripe for an avalanche, according to Chris Feutrier, USDA forest supervisor for the Tahoe National Forest.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Stay in car, items will be loaded for you.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These wafers offer fewer recombination sites, which can significantly enhance electrical performance, but their practical use has been hindered by fragility.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The shutdown will hinder Noem’s efforts to pivot away from Minneapolis.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What before was a straightforward process almost entirely paid for by insurance or public dollars is likely to become burdened by more paperwork, higher out-of-pocket costs, and fewer choices.—
Sophia Newcomer,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Because there is a balance to be struck between preventing fraud, such as voter impersonation (as uncommon as that may be), and burdening eligible voters with undue restrictions that can ultimately discourage them from voting.—
Peter Jensen,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This mounting deficit has hampered planning in San Diego ever since.—
Nico Calavita,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
My parents have both passed away, and my birthday has always been a cherished day, filled with memories and meaning.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The crowd, filled with mostly Illini fans, roared with delight.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The person notices the camera at Guthrie’s front porch and tries to cover the lens with their hand before scouting around the patio and yard area apparently for something to obstruct the camera.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The team embarrassed Canada, 5-0, in the preliminary round, and swept the North American neighbor in four straight Olympic tune-ups.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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