1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
several hamstrung attempts to reorganize the local parent-teacher association were made
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hamstrung
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
At the outset of the Hot Stove Season, the Mets moved fan-favorite Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in return for sure-handed, but potentially bat-hamstrung second baseman, Marcus Semien.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet, spending significantly more long-term money on one closer compared to the alternatives on the market could wind up leaving the Mets financially hamstrung.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Conservatives, who have long sought to reduce the size of the federal workforce, say Trump should not be hamstrung.
—Carlos Waters, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The exact impacts are unclear, but airports, Amtrak trains and wildfire response would probably not be hamstrung, officials told Bay Area News Group on Monday.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Republicans like Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, who sponsored the proposal to reform the General Orders Board, said the current setup gives civilians too much power and has made officers feel hamstrung by some of the orders.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Newcastle, like Villa, are hamstrung.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
In a Friday court filing, the Justice Department said more than 460 Education Department employees had been laid off, cutting roughly a fifth of the agency's already-hamstrung workforce.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Luke Smith, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
In addition to higher construction costs, the convention center expansion is hamstrung by the city’s lack of control over a key waterfront parcel that would be needed to complete the project.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
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
In a way, Sentimental Value is both boosted and hamstrung by the comparison to Worst Person.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Grossi wants the job, even though the international body has been hamstrung by infighting and failed to use political leverage to prevent or end recent conflicts.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
In Oregon, too, where gray wolves have been established for longer, ranchers feel hamstrung.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2026
At the outset of the Hot Stove Season, the Mets moved fan-favorite Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers in return for sure-handed, but potentially bat-hamstrung second baseman, Marcus Semien.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Yet, spending significantly more long-term money on one closer compared to the alternatives on the market could wind up leaving the Mets financially hamstrung.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Conservatives, who have long sought to reduce the size of the federal workforce, say Trump should not be hamstrung.
—Carlos Waters, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
The exact impacts are unclear, but airports, Amtrak trains and wildfire response would probably not be hamstrung, officials told Bay Area News Group on Monday.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025
Republicans like Councilor Michael-Paul Hart, who sponsored the proposal to reform the General Orders Board, said the current setup gives civilians too much power and has made officers feel hamstrung by some of the orders.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 28 Aug. 2025
Newcastle, like Villa, are hamstrung.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
In a Friday court filing, the Justice Department said more than 460 Education Department employees had been laid off, cutting roughly a fifth of the agency's already-hamstrung workforce.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Its new car, the AMR26, has been hamstrung by issues stemming from its Honda engine right the way through the year’s opening race weekend.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
In addition to higher construction costs, the convention center expansion is hamstrung by the city’s lack of control over a key waterfront parcel that would be needed to complete the project.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
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
In a way, Sentimental Value is both boosted and hamstrung by the comparison to Worst Person.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Grossi wants the job, even though the international body has been hamstrung by infighting and failed to use political leverage to prevent or end recent conflicts.
—Robin Wright, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrung
Adjective
-
Multiple attempts to reach the property owner were unsuccessful.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
-
There is some hope within the organization that Blackburn can follow a path similar to the one that Luke Weaver took, as the ex-Yank transitioned from an unsuccessful starter to a high-leverage reliever while making relatively little money with the team.—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At age 14, Arias was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between rival gangs, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Emt was injured in a drunk driving accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The four-week shutdown has crippled airport security, with waits exceeding three hours at some airports as screeners work without pay amid spring break travel.—
Kevin Freking,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
By controlling Gaza’s land, air and sea access, Israel has crippled its economy and infrastructure.—
Ken Barnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But analysts say the grid remains inefficient, aging and, with demand spiking, on the verge of causing widespread blackouts on the coldest or hottest days.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
They were led by Jordan Pope’s 30 points on an inefficient 8-of-25 shooting but was 7 of 18 from behind the arc.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a flash, the Avs veteran flew right into a sprawling, helpless Ingram, who recoiled at the contact.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Pet cats allowed to roam outdoors can also pose a threat to birds, especially helpless fledglings.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Aleph and other Jewish chaplaincy groups say the chaplaincy system is being undermined by the Messianic movement, whose adherents may identify as Jews but are not recognized as such by any denomination of Judaism.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The fighting has grounded regional air traffic, threatened desalination facilities that provide drinking water to millions and undermined the safe reputation of modern metropolises such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Noem’s insistence on filming arrest operations was both disgraceful and counterproductive.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In July of last year Steyer sent out a tweet criticizing rent control for its deleterious and counterproductive effects.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The United States is, to her knowledge, the only country maintaining such a ban for nearly a century via Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act—even in its weaker form with the domestic consumption loophole.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Lessons from gold and small-caps The recent spike in oil prices has not resulted in spectacular gains for gold investors fueled by a weaker dollar, as was the case in 1973.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hamstrung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrung. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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