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
Laura Bonilla, deputy director of the Peace and Reconciliation Foundation, a Bogotá think tank, says excessive government red tape for purchasing and flying drones has hamstrung the military.
—
John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2025
In the eyes of investors, China is also hamstrung by both the restricted mobility of capital into and out of the country and the lack of independence of the Chinese central bank.
—Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
The agency embraced those recommendations, but implementation was uneven and often hamstrung by lack of congressional funding.
—Bydonald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 13 July 2025
Yet at least one planetary scientist refuses to be hamstrung by focusing on the funding hole in the Martian sample return donut.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2025
In the eyes of investors, China is also hamstrung by both the restricted mobility of capital into and out of the country and the lack of independence of the Chinese central bank.
—Eswar Prasad, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
The agency embraced those recommendations, but implementation was uneven and often hamstrung by lack of congressional funding.
—Bydonald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 13 July 2025
Yet at least one planetary scientist refuses to be hamstrung by focusing on the funding hole in the Martian sample return donut.
—Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
-
House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
22 July 2025
-
With the House floor paralyzed, House GOP leaders announced on Tuesday that the chamber is leaving for a five-week district work period a day earlier than expected.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
-
Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
-
Renewing them without progress undermines the very purpose of the standards and risks normalizing unsafe, unlawful jail conditions.—
Darren Mack,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
-
While their insight can be valuable, this often confuses authority and undermines the CEO’s role in leading.—
Elizabeth Freedman,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Also in the Pacific, Tropical Depression Iona, over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continued weakening as it was expected to cross the International Date Line on Saturday, according to a hurricane center advisory.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The job market weakened sharply during the late spring and early summer as President Trump's tariffs began to take effect.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The report does not present any evidence of mechanical failures or of a possible bird strike, which could have incapacitated both engines at the same time.—
Russell Lewis,
NPR,
11 July 2025
-
Trump's dismissal of the CNN and NBC reports comes amid concern about just how incapacitated Iran's nuclear capacity is.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share