as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encumbrance
Since the Upper Sioux Agency land no longer provides those opportunities, the encumbrance must be placed on other public land of equal or greater market value.
—
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
What the land bank offers to buyers is a clean title free of liens and other encumbrances, according to Jessica Caffrey, executive director.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Meanwhile, many of the same people were evicted from their houses as landowners used the crisis to clear off these human encumbrances and free their fields for more profitable pasturage.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
What the land bank offers to buyers is a clean title free of liens and other encumbrances, according to Jessica Caffrey, executive director.
—Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Meanwhile, many of the same people were evicted from their houses as landowners used the crisis to clear off these human encumbrances and free their fields for more profitable pasturage.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
-
Still, recent history has thrown obstacles in the way of developers’ timelines for Sacramento-area sports venues.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
It was struck down, eliminating an obstacle for those lawsuits to get to trial.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Separately, industry experts point to fundamental technical hurdles.—
Ruben Nyanguila,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The landfill project has faced several hurdles and drawn the ire of residents since 2024, when Chisholm filed an application for a permit.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The filing, entered Monday by Comey’s legal defense team, confirms that evidence collected in the leak investigation, codenamed Arctic Haze, is central to the Justice Department’s false-statement and obstruction case against him.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Remember his embarrassment after winning the 2016 presidential election but losing the national popular vote?—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years now, Fuentes has been both an embarrassment to the right and an indicator of what’s brewing in the id of conservatism.—
Ali Breland,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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