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
The City of Boca Raton lost because the lease itself became the encumbrance.
—
Stacy Sipple, Sun Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, Sabbath sounded amazing, the band’s distinctive vibe of limitless cosmic encumbrance, of Man squirming under the thumb of Fate, God, madness—the essential heavy-metal vision—somehow magnified by the venerable wobbliness of its playing.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
But corporate apathy wasn’t the project’s only encumbrance.
—Joan Gaylord, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Stacy Sipple, Sun Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, Sabbath sounded amazing, the band’s distinctive vibe of limitless cosmic encumbrance, of Man squirming under the thumb of Fate, God, madness—the essential heavy-metal vision—somehow magnified by the venerable wobbliness of its playing.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
But corporate apathy wasn’t the project’s only encumbrance.
—Joan Gaylord, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
-
Despite these obstacles, the Cuban government faces a short window for obtaining results, said Paolo Spadoni, associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia.—
Andrea Rodríguez,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Rather than simply advocating for preservation, the organization is working directly with property owners to better understand what obstacles stand in the way of restoring some of Hollywood’s most recognizable landmarks.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
But the technology still faces hurdles, experts said, and labor groups including the Teamsters are raising alarms over safety and availability of jobs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Cuban leaders like former President Raúl Castro – who still wields significant power on the island – have sought to push forward more limited reforms of Cuba’s economy in the past, but efforts have run into bureaucratic hurdles.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
He was charged with stalking, disturbing the peace and obstruction for failure to identify himself to law enforcement.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
Latino drivers made up 38% of stops for window obstruction.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The Moscow attack was the latest embarrassment for Putin.—
Barry Hatton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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Democrats aren't buying it, saying the White House is simply trying to avoid an embarrassment for the president.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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