hamstrings

verb

present tense third-person singular of hamstring
as in paralyzes
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrings
  1. paralyzes
  2. cripples
  3. undermines
  4. weakens
  5. incapacitates
Verb
  • Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering.
    — André Kisonga, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
  • These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Definition of paralyzes
Verb
  • Federal illegality further cripples operations with banking and tax burdens.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • In the final version of the film, Furiosa captures Dementus, cripples him, brings him back to the Citadel.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026
Definition of cripples
Verb
  • State leaders have introduced Assembly Bill 1383, which undermines crucial PEPRA guardrails, granting an unfunded pension benefit increase to first responders by reducing their retirement age.
    — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026
  • The San Francisco arts community has long prized its bohemia (which dates back to the late 1870s); and the past few months its members have accused the AI entrepreneurs and their ecosystem of bringing an emphasis on commerce that undermines bohemia.
    — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of undermines
Verb
  • Remove those resources, and the nominal tax rule remains unchanged while its practical effect weakens.
    — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Prolonged screen time tightens the muscles that support the neck and weakens the deep neck flexors responsible for holding the head aligned over the spine.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm incapacitates him.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 May 2026
  • Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.
    — Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Definition of incapacitates
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.

Browse Nearby Words

hamstringing
hamstrings
hamstrung
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Cite this Entry

“Hamstrings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrings. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hamstrings for Spanish Speakers

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