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
It will be encumbered neither by norms nor the exigencies that compel speech in a democratic society.
—
Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
The department is required to be paid fair market value for any land that is purchased, rented or encumbered, according to a September 2025 appraisal of the property.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Most of the properties, which are owned by LLCs, are delinquent on tax obligations while some are encumbered by mortgages that are in default —racking up penalties and interest, Seward added.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026
As with other good car designs that endured well beyond their 1960s-era prime, the Type 14 eventually became encumbered by massive rubber bumpers and oversized taillamps by 1973, though even these later models retain their charm.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026
The department is required to be paid fair market value for any land that is purchased, rented or encumbered, according to a September 2025 appraisal of the property.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Most of the properties, which are owned by LLCs, are delinquent on tax obligations while some are encumbered by mortgages that are in default —racking up penalties and interest, Seward added.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Feb. 2026
As with other good car designs that endured well beyond their 1960s-era prime, the Type 14 eventually became encumbered by massive rubber bumpers and oversized taillamps by 1973, though even these later models retain their charm.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
Verb
-
This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.—
Heath Kalb,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
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His attempts to impede the certification of the 2020 election led to him being charged with obstruction of an official proceeding, alongside hundreds of January 6th rioters.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Pages followed with a single and Keller loaded the bases by hitting Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy with two outs.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
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The only way real barriers to non-factory service could be required to work on a ladder-frame gas-engine truck would be if the automaker intentionally loaded it with proprietary nonsense.—
Andrew P. Collins,
The Drive,
11 June 2026
Verb
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With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Injuries have hindered the 27-year-old Frasso’s development.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Ultimately, my focus is on ensuring that working families in San José, especially in District 5, are not disproportionately burdened by rising energy costs, while still investing in the infrastructure needed for a reliable and resilient energy system.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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The government's general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 30% of gross income on housing, including rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities, to avoid being cost burdened.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Trump has often alleged rampant voter fraud that has hampered Republicans’ success, and his base has largely accepted these sentiments to be true, despite no evidence backing up his accusations.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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Covid pandemic-era border closures hampered exchange between the two sides and later, Pyongyang grew closer to Moscow, deploying what are believed to be thousands of soldiers to aid Russia’s war against Ukraine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
Verb
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There was fruit, sandwiches, kimbap, beer, and cigarettes—enough to fill the day in quiet peace.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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Studio had some formidable shoes to fill, replacing the eponymous and long-beloved French fine-dining institution that had defined special-occasion fine dining in Laguna Beach for more than twenty years.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Eight people were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, according to the NYPD.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Zabel is also accused of obstructing the roadway.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Then to Sydney Harbour, the very scene of that embarrassing capsize exactly a year earlier, and the Americans won the event outright for a first win since October 2023.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Some fans weighed in on his outfit choice on social media, sparking conversations about if the actor might have embarrassed his wife.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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