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
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Recent Examples of hamstring
And Mass Development, the state agency that supports small business projects, was hamstrung by federal rules that also exclude multi-use projects.
—
Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
Elizabeth MacBride, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
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John banters with some reporters, but Carolyn is paralyzed by the flash.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Now 8 years old, Deepanwita is paralyzed, unable to talk.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Massive piles of trash with rotting food accumulate in residential areas as the fuel shortage has crippled waste collection services.—
Carmen Sesin,
NBC news,
16 Mar. 2026
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But that doesn’t mean mathematicians would be crippled with ennui, Litt says.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The judge said the government has undermined its history of recognizing the importance of involving independent experts in setting the national public health agenda.—
Lena H. Sun,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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A number of leading medical groups raised alarms that the vaccine recommendation changes made under Kennedy would undermine protections against a half-dozen diseases.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When presidents sidestep formal addresses and Congress declines to insist upon them, the deliberative architecture of the republic weakens.—
Kenneth Zagacki,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
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High supply and weakening renter demand have apartment landlords living in an ever-more competitive space.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As with other Cosby accusers, Donna Motsinger alleges that Cosby incapacitated her with some sort of drug to facilitate the attack, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
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The biggest development was the discovery of an audio signal Regan could use to incapacitate the monsters.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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