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
  • 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
  • Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of impedes
Verb
  • If a page loads its content dynamically or sits behind a login, a standard retrieval step never sees it.
    — Vaidotas Juknys, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Turnover and the shelter’s euthanasia rates were trending down; officers’ shifts were shorter and case loads smaller.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of loads
Verb
  • For example, Otto’s research has shown that, in yeast, having extra copies of every gene hinders the organism’s ability to adapt to the common antifungal medication nystatin.
    — Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
  • True commitment allows strategies to develop and succeed, as indecision hinders progress.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hinders
Verb
  • This adds unstated punishment, fragments medical care, limits programming, and burdens federal agencies with unnecessary logistics.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In a decision written by Judge Barbara Milano Keenan, the 4th Circuit panel ruled that the houses of worship showed that the Department of Homeland Security's policy substantially burdens the free exercise of their religion.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of burdens
Verb
  • That marks a 37% increase from the same time last year, as the Iran war hampers oil supply.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The lack of open pores in the soil also hampers the movement of air and water.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Desperation fills their lives, amplified by physicians who dismiss their complaints as psychosomatic—in their heads—and then prescribe medications for mental health conditions, such as Prozac or Valium.
    — Jerome Groopman, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The appointment fills a key leadership vacancy atop the nation's largest military branch.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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