ENCUMBRANCES Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

encumbrances

noun

plural of encumbrance

as in obstacles

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 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 encumbrances On July 10, Charles Pernicka, Solutions’ attorney, replied in writing, providing documents that showed there were no formal encumbrances, such as liens or leases, on the properties’ deeds. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026 To Tommy, Anna and Molly are twittering encumbrances, idiotic in their insistence on good works and the good of man, their endless remorseful hedgings about the Communist Party. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Stopping the train to nowhere funding, using those funds to pay off our federal EDD debt so that businesses can reduce THEIR EDD encumbrances by the 1-5% they’re being charged now. — Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrances

Noun

Wong embodied a model of how to reinvent oneself in the face of the most daunting societal obstacles.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Journalists and other civil society actors also continue to face obstacles in their work.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstacles

Noun

The high speed rail project, which voters first approved nearly 20 years ago, has become a political liability for Democrats as budget estimates have ballooned and the project has been delayed for years due to litigation and regulatory hurdles.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
As Nabers wrestled with hurdles that stood in his way, the noise of a 24/7 NFL news cycle desperate to know Nabers’ next steps swirled around them.

— Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of hurdles

Noun

Sitting around a table in the soundstage where the pilot for I Love Lucy was filmed, the six of them tailored the roles to the actors and infused the script with arguments, embarrassments, and confessions from their own relationships.

— Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Definition of embarrassments

Noun

Sometimes this means having to overcome unnecessary barriers to ensure employees’ contributions are recognized and rewarded equitably.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Although somewhat gimmicky, anything that lowers accessibility barriers between the real and virtual worlds is likely to make mixed-reality activities more useful and viable.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of barriers

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encumbrance

encumbrances

encyclical

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“Encumbrances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrances. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of encumbrances

noun

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