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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Examples of encumbrance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
—
Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
The house, together with all its conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, other interests, termites and skunks.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2023
At this point, minor villains can only be an encumbrance.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2023
Without the encumbrance of a mask.
—Danielle Ofri, STAT, 14 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance 
Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
The house, together with all its conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, other interests, termites and skunks.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2023
At this point, minor villains can only be an encumbrance.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2023
Without the encumbrance of a mask.
—Danielle Ofri, STAT, 14 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'encumbrance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.
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