as in hindered
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1
as in hampered
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loaded
to place a weight or burden on
don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move
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Recent Examples of encumbered
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
His brand of athleticism is predicated on a bouncy explosiveness that shouldn’t be encumbered with unnecessary bulking.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Some 60% of the world’s GDP is encumbered by debt to GDP of 100% or more, and untypically large deficits in the context of a business cycle expansion phase.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The block is encumbered with three ground leases.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Many analysts noting the stock’s run-up due to news in March of price increases and a general sense of relief that the company wouldn’t be encumbered by a massive acquisition of traditional assets.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026
His brand of athleticism is predicated on a bouncy explosiveness that shouldn’t be encumbered with unnecessary bulking.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
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
Some 60% of the world’s GDP is encumbered by debt to GDP of 100% or more, and untypically large deficits in the context of a business cycle expansion phase.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The block is encumbered with three ground leases.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbered
Verb
-
The court issued a ruling that limits consideration of race in drawing voting maps — potentially a boon for Republicans, who have been hampered by the civil rights law in their attempt to redraw maps in Louisiana, Alabama and other states.—
Matthew Choi,
Washington Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Connor McDavid looked ordinary at best, clearly hampered by his injury.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Speedy Chandler Simpson then bounced a bunt toward third for a single that loaded the bases.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
The Padres loaded the bases with no outs.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Closures may impact some handicapped parking spaces, but staff will designate an equal number of temporary ADA-compliant spaces for use, officials said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The measure also allows vehicles displaying valid disabled parking permits or plates to occupy more than one non-handicapped parking space.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Catholic-Protestant divide impeded North American solidarity.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
GasBuddy expects that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked or significantly impeded through Memorial Day, the national average price of gas could surpass the all‑time record of $5 per gallon.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Any bureaucracy is burdened by red tape and inefficiency.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Former employees have painted the agency as underfunded and burdened by a large backlog of cases.—
John Wayne Ferguson,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 9 in 10 workers said burnout has hindered their productivity.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, the Bucks have already filled their opening after the departure of Doc Rivers, a former Magic coach, with the hiring of Taylor Jenkins.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 May 2026
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Celebrate Mom with this bright bouquet filled with a mix of mini purple carnations, chamomile daisies, green button chrysanthemums, pink cushion chrysanthemums, and a yellow rose.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
4 May 2026
Verb
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That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Mets were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in an 14-2 blowout to even up the series at one game apiece.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encumbered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbered. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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