encumbers

verb

present tense third-person singular of encumber
1
as in impedes
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 loads
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 encumbers The Pentagon’s risk-averse culture, reinforced by rules established by Congress, encumbers every stage of the military development, procurement, and integration process. — Doug Beck, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Neither encumbers this production. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbers
  1. impedes
  2. loads
  3. hinders
  4. burdens
  5. hampers
  6. fills
  7. obstructs
  8. embarrasses
Verb
  • The sheriff said vehicles parked in a way that impedes traffic will be towed at the owner's expense.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic.
    — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of impedes
Verb
  • When your site loads quickly, visitors may stay longer, browse more and be more likely to convert.
    — Anthony Savino, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The main sleeper pod packs down small to store easily at home, then loads neatly into small and midsize vans only to burst out the tailgate at camp and create an instant bedroom.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • Being polished hinders the chance for an honest dialogue as the moon agitates Chiron.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But Meta raised concerns about some of the bills, saying the law to restrict addictive feeds hinders the company's ability to bring enjoyable content to users on its platforms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of hinders
Verb
  • Traffic burdens residents daily, and heavy rain keeps exposing the same stormwater weaknesses.
    — Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2026
  • This adds unstated punishment, fragments medical care, limits programming, and burdens federal agencies with unnecessary logistics.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of burdens
Verb
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That marks a 37% increase from the same time last year, as the Iran war hampers oil supply.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Hotels turn to down-alternative fills like microfiber for similar plushness without the feathers.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Sign Up for Our Free Daily Newsletter The distinct, earthy smell that fills the air after rain following a long dry spell can trigger some serious nostalgia.
    — Gregory Wakeman, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of fills
Verb
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026
  • Anatasia steals a truck and obstructs their path, sacrificing herself to a bleak future, all in the name of love.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 10 July 2026
Definition of obstructs
Verb
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of embarrasses

Browse Nearby Words

encumbering
encumbers
encumbrance
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Cite this Entry

“Encumbers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbers. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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