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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hamstring
In fact, the club was significantly hamstrung by a transfer ban that wasn’t lifted until January.
—
Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
In an interview with NPR on May 27, Harvard's president, Alan Garber, said his university isn't the only one whose scholars' scientific research has been hamstrung.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
At a time when geopolitical division hamstrings large and formal bodies like the U.N. and World Trade Organization, small and informal contact groups are becoming the diplomatic vehicles of choice.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Time, 14 June 2025
Over the years, the park’s superintendents were also hamstrung by a lack of money.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Manuel Veth, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
In an interview with NPR on May 27, Harvard's president, Alan Garber, said his university isn't the only one whose scholars' scientific research has been hamstrung.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
At a time when geopolitical division hamstrings large and formal bodies like the U.N. and World Trade Organization, small and informal contact groups are becoming the diplomatic vehicles of choice.
—Charles A. Kupchan, Time, 14 June 2025
Over the years, the park’s superintendents were also hamstrung by a lack of money.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
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In this article: The News The View From Europe The View From The Middle East The View From China The View From Russia The News Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the country’s nuclear and military might.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
13 June 2025
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Trump Opens $5 Million Gold Card Visa Waitlist—What To Know Air India Plane With 242 Onboard Crashes Shortly After Takeoff In Western India This paradox has paralyzed innovation in privacy-sensitive sectors.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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History suggests the move may prove counterproductive, undermining concrete American interests in the name of rushing into a speculative new extractive frontier.—
Time,
Time,
17 June 2025
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These weaknesses undermine its attractive valuation metrics and strong recent growth.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
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But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.—
June 27,
CBS News,
27 June 2025
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Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Most states require adults to appoint someone to make medical decisions, including authorizing treatment, if they become incapacitated.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
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Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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