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
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
Unlike them, Daisy is free of encumbrances like the need to sleep.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
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
Unlike them, Daisy is free of encumbrances like the need to sleep.
—Ali Watkins, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
-
This small but mighty cleaner has dual side brushes, multiple cleaning modes, and obstacle-avoidance technology.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Yet despite these obstacles, Pita’s voice has only grown louder, emerging as a leading figure in the global conversation on democracy and reform.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The award had stock price hurdles of $350 and $400 and Clarke got no long-term equity grants in 2020, 2022, and 2023.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Ren also noted practical hurdles.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Last month, a grand jury voted to indict Comey on two charges of making a false statement to Congress and obstruction, while rejecting an additional false statements count sought by Halligan.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The latest arrests by Illinois State Police involved charges of resisting and obstruction.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin , Matt Finn , Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are more costs — to say nothing of further public embarrassment — to consider.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
During reunion weekend, former editors and writers also like to see their youthful work through a lens of nostalgia, (sometimes) embarrassment, and joy.—
Joshua Finnell,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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