as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the downtown development committee claims that it's hamstrung by city ordinances protecting historic buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 hamstring
Business owners and executives who disapproved of the tariffs said their companies were hamstrung by higher prices for inputs, lower product demand, supply chain shortages and a reluctance to hire or invest due to uncertainty over trade deals and a prolonged government shutdown.
—
Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
But further research on the long-term effects of space on humans is hamstrung by the small available sample size.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to higher costs, a convention center expansion is also hamstrung by the city’s lack of control over a key waterfront parcel that would be needed to complete the project.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
But a big-money move to European giant Barcelona smothered him in weighty expectations and he was hamstrung with a plethora of injuries.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Claire Wang, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
But further research on the long-term effects of space on humans is hamstrung by the small available sample size.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 21 Jan. 2026
In addition to higher costs, a convention center expansion is also hamstrung by the city’s lack of control over a key waterfront parcel that would be needed to complete the project.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
But a big-money move to European giant Barcelona smothered him in weighty expectations and he was hamstrung with a plethora of injuries.
—Amanda Davies, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
-
The differences between the two major models, along with other forecast guidance, equates to the difference between a paralyzing blizzard along the I-95 corridor and a largely forgettable bout of light snow.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But, like so many domestic violence survivors, she was paralyzed with fear in the moment.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
New York and other cities are being crippled by a historic storm that is dropping record amounts of snow on the region.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In theory, energetic particles pass through such thin sheets without creating the kinds of defects that typically cripple conventional silicon chips.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Allred and Johnson have sparred over ethics and policy, with Allred targeting her stock trades and voting record, and Johnson defending her financial disclosures and accusing him of undermining her leadership.—
Gromer Jeffers Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
However, traditional hydrogen production often relies on fossil fuels, undermining its environmental benefits.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While speculation has focused on the possibility of two Republicans advancing, the more likely scenario is that only one GOP candidate reaches November — and does so weakened.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The effect occurs because friction between grains drops sharply under fast loads, weakening the internal force networks that normally support the material.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jenny was traumatized and incapacitated for weeks.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Bhusri and Duffield’s agreement also means that if one of the cofounders is incapacitated or dies, the other gets control of both stakes.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
