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
Relevance
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
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 encumber
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
As a marginalized population, Jennings said the North End is encumbered with poverty, racial discrimination, low employment rates, and low levels of home ownership.
—Julianna D’addona, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025
And because neither instrument is encumbered by clouds, the coverage of the surface is total, mapping the entire globe in unprecedented detail every 12 days.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
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
As a marginalized population, Jennings said the North End is encumbered with poverty, racial discrimination, low employment rates, and low levels of home ownership.
—Julianna D’addona, Hartford Courant, 27 July 2025
And because neither instrument is encumbered by clouds, the coverage of the surface is total, mapping the entire globe in unprecedented detail every 12 days.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
Verb
-
The Bundys and several others in the vehicles were arrested and charged with multiple federal crimes, including conspiracy to impede federal officers.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Families can load children into front boxes, while those less comfortable with long distances can rely on electric assistance.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Ben Rice’s ground-rule double and a walk to Aaron Judge loaded the bases in the first, and Cody Bellinger’s sacrifice fly gave New York an instant 1-0 lead.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The share of businesses saying that lack of transparency was hindering operations fell by 12 percentage points to 16%.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
These challenges not only hinder women’s economic advancement but also limit businesses from reaching their full potential.—
C200,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The World Health Organization estimates that one in seven 10–19-year-olds worldwide experiences a mental disorder, accounting for roughly 15% of the global disease burden among youth.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Additionally, one of the partners may feel burdened with emotional labor while the other disengages.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And the new administration may be further hampering those plans.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At night, the fire crackled while insects filled the air and a distant lion let out a low, steady rumble.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Companies are increasingly stepping into roles traditionally held by colleges, universities, and trade schools, creating their own certification programs to address skill gaps that formal education hasn't filled.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ultimately, North was found guilty of destroying official documents, accepting a home security system as a gift and obstructing Congress in 1989.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With the sandboxing proposal, companies could identify regulations that are obstructing their efforts, and ask for a waiver.—
Emily Wilkins,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
We wouldn’t be embarrassed by it, nor would the audience.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
-
What People Are Saying Maritime analysts have weighed in on the nature reserve declaration, with some linking it to the August 11 collision that embarrassed Beijing.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share