Synonyms of hamstrung

hamstrung 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in unsuccessful

not producing the desired result

several hamstrung attempts to reorganize the local parent-teacher association were made

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unsuccessful
• inefficient
• counterproductive
• ineffective
• feckless
• ineffectual
• worthless
• useless
• inexpedient
• abortive
• futile
• unprofitable
• unavailing
• pointless
• inefficacious
• nonproductive
• bootless
• fruitless
• unproductive
• profitless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• efficient
• effective
• expedient
• efficacious
• operant
• successful
• effectual
• ultraefficient
• beneficial
• useful
• productive
• profitable
• helpful
• worthwhile
• availing

2

as in paralyzed

unable to act or achieve one's purpose

hamstrung by recent congressional limitations on executive power, the president can do little in this situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyzed
• helpless
• weak
• incompetent
• powerless
• impotent
• handcuffed
• hog-tied
• incapable
• high and dry
• passive
• useless
• ineffective
• feeble
• impuissant
• unfit
• ineffectual
• inept
• spineless
• infirm
• supine
• frail
• unaggressive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• able
• powerful
• capable
• strong
• mighty
• competent
• potent
• effective
• efficient
• dominant
• autocratic
• authoritarian
• tough
• dynamic
• important
• robust
• puissant
• major
• vigorous
• significant
• sturdy
• forceful
• tyrannical
• dictatorial
• energetic
• despotic
• senior
• magisterial
• top
• high-level

hamstrung

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hamstring

as in crippled

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

• paralyzed
• crippled
• undermined
• incapacitated
• weakened
• disabled
• immobilized
• attenuated
• sapped
• undercut
• enfeebled
• hobbled
• tired
• prostrated
• debilitated
• mutilated
• enervated
• lamed
• knocked out
• maimed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• energized
• galvanized
• invigorated
• strengthened
• vitalized
• empowered
• fortified
• restored
• revived
• revitalized
• regenerated
• refreshed
• rejuvenated
• freshened
• refreshened

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hamstrung

Adjective

The summer 2026 box office ended nearly 10% ahead of 2019, according to data from Rentrak, the year before Covid shutdowns hamstrung ticket sales and before streaming took a bite out of moviegoing in earnest. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Some oppose them but feel hamstrung or powerless to stop or slow their progress, as occurred in Ypsilanti Township and in nearby Saline Township as well. — Laura Mullenbach, Fortune, 14 July 2026

But those prioritizing only competitive results over building teams via commercial starpower are hamstrung. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

But that machine was largely considered a hamstrung disaster. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 31 May 2026

Does this mean that the courts are effectively hamstrung for several weeks from the start of early voting to Election Day? — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 May 2026

Still, amid his newfound songwriting success, Gordy felt hamstrung by the realities of the record biz. — Brian McCollum, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Haithcock said schools have been financially hamstrung since Act 10 – the Scott Walker-era landmark law in 2011 that curtailed union bargaining power and cut take-home pay for workers – especially amid declining student enrollment. — Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 19 Mar. 2026

The lingering animosity, in his view, hamstrung budget talks and the passage of the Legislature’s most consequential proposals. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026

Verb

The contribution represents an unusual expansion at a time when the United States’ sudden aid cuts have hamstrung programs from maternal and child health to HIV treatment and prevention. — James Pollard, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Making his feature directorial debut, Benetton delivers reasonably effective atmospherics but remains hamstrung by his script that seems to have been written by AI. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026

Gorbachev, hamstrung by demands from hard-liners back in Moscow, was equally intransigent that no deal could be made so long as SDI was in the works. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

While the Cubs World Series odds will largely dictate their aggressiveness this deadline, they won’t be hamstrung by a lack of talent in their system. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 20 July 2026

We should not be hamstrung by the costs of gas, groceries and our utilities. — Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

The weapon issue is also solved as the restrictions are no longer hamstrung by champion counters, as every weapon in the game has been given anti-champion function, broadly opening up the potential there. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Even those items that can be produced will be hamstrung by constraints to global trade. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 17 June 2026

Qatar, the world's second-largest supplier which owns part of the world's largest gas field, has seen its export capacity hamstrung by Iranian strikes. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 19 May 2026