1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result
several hamstrung attempts to reorganize the local parent-teacher association were made
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hamstrung
Lauren Mullenbach,
The Conversation,
1 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
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
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Liverpool have been hamstrung by the absence of their four most important attackers through injury in recent weeks, but there has been little sign of improvement as the season draws to a close.
—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Rian is similarly hamstrung by inarticulacy and masculine angst, but his storyline feels the least convincing, as if fashioned only to prove money can’t buy happiness, even if Cole convincingly suggests unspoken depths.
—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 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
While Oklahoma City deployed its 10th or 11th men at times, Redick stuck to eight- or nine-man rotations, hamstrung by inefficiencies across the bottom half of the roster.
—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Assayas is a great filmmaker, but seems hamstrung by this being a film, not a series.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
But future work may be hamstrung by federal funding cuts.
—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
The state is hamstrung in its redistricting efforts despite a Republican trifecta by a constitutional amendment barring maps favoring a specific party.
—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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.
—
Lauren Mullenbach,
The Conversation,
1 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
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
Verb
Even those items that can be produced will be hamstrung by constraints to global trade.
—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Liverpool have been hamstrung by the absence of their four most important attackers through injury in recent weeks, but there has been little sign of improvement as the season draws to a close.
—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
30 May 2026
Rian is similarly hamstrung by inarticulacy and masculine angst, but his storyline feels the least convincing, as if fashioned only to prove money can’t buy happiness, even if Cole convincingly suggests unspoken depths.
—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 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
While Oklahoma City deployed its 10th or 11th men at times, Redick stuck to eight- or nine-man rotations, hamstrung by inefficiencies across the bottom half of the roster.
—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
13 May 2026
Assayas is a great filmmaker, but seems hamstrung by this being a film, not a series.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
13 May 2026
But future work may be hamstrung by federal funding cuts.
—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
The state is hamstrung in its redistricting efforts despite a Republican trifecta by a constitutional amendment barring maps favoring a specific party.
—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrung
Adjective
-
More than a decade ago, her association sought the same change at the federal level and was unsuccessful — opposed at the time by Wine Institute.
-
The city had taken it over, but several attempts at renovation were unsuccessful, until Alan Leventhal, chief executive of Beacon Capital Partners, happened to see the building and envisioned it as a great hotel.
Adjective
-
The teen, who was crossing the street at the time, was run over twice by the truck, causing catastrophic injuries that left him paralyzed from the waist down, local ABC affiliate WKBW reported.
-
Surely there were those in attendance, and those watching, who conjured horrible thoughts of Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley being left permanently paralyzed from the chest down after taking a vicious hit from the Oakland Raiders’ Jack Tatum during a 1978 preseason game.
Verb
-
In the nation’s gravest hour, the country’s authoritarian regime has crippled an effective response, say survivors, rescue workers and former officials.
-
This comes at a dire time for Venezuela, which is still deep in political and financial crisis – being led by an interim government after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year, and facing an economy crippled by years of hyperinflation.
Adjective
-
When operations are inefficient or inconsistent because the underlying tech can’t keep up, customers quickly get frustrated.
-
Clicking on a task opens it up in a dedicated page, which is a remarkably inefficient use of space.
Adjective
-
The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.
-
Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
Verb
-
Brilliant start undermined The first half hour of the match was played at the pace Ivory Coast desired with Les Elephants using their high press and long passes to consistently put Norway on its heels.
-
Community opposition to temporary waste storage, which risks becoming permanent without a federal waste repository, further undermined the project.
Adjective
-
In his letter, Leo repeated the Vatican's offer of dialogue and said that going through with the consecrations would be counterproductive for the SSPX faithful.
-
This sophisticated system prevents metabolically expensive and functionally counterproductive perpetual growth, ensuring hair serves specific protective and insulating roles.
Adjective
-
Following a year of historically weak hiring in 2025, hiring rebounded this spring.
-
In a weak free-agency class, centers Robert Williams III (Portland) and Mark Williams (Phoenix) are already off the market, each reportedly agreeing to return to their current teams.
Cite this Entry
“Hamstrung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrung. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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