1
as in impedes
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
we were hobbled by the snowstorm from getting out to do some Christmas shopping
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Recent Examples of hobbles
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Carolyn switches her nail color from a bold red to a blander shade; John hobbles out of his George magazine office wearing a cast on his left ankle due to a paragliding accident.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Kittle hobbles off the field George Kittle limped off the field late in the third quarter with an ankle injury amid a productive night.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Todd hobbles into each frame like a joyless ghoul, hating the cameras and hating his wife for bringing them into his world.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
In the video, an elderly man — played by Hiep Tran Nghia — gingerly hobbles around a stone town before an apocalypse of sorts strikes.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Major marine war risk providers have started to scrap cover for vessels operating in the Persian Gulf as the fallout from a sudden security shock hobbles key shipping routes in the region.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Carolyn switches her nail color from a bold red to a blander shade; John hobbles out of his George magazine office wearing a cast on his left ankle due to a paragliding accident.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Kittle hobbles off the field George Kittle limped off the field late in the third quarter with an ankle injury amid a productive night.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Todd hobbles into each frame like a joyless ghoul, hating the cameras and hating his wife for bringing them into his world.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025
In the video, an elderly man — played by Hiep Tran Nghia — gingerly hobbles around a stone town before an apocalypse of sorts strikes.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbles
Verb
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When wealth impedes authenticity, the consequences can extend well into economic, cultural, and civic spheres.—
David H. Rosmarin,
Time,
10 June 2026
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In the Boston case, the states argued that the policy impedes their ability to hire primary and secondary school educators and to staff public colleges and universities, will stymie academic research and will lead to a decline in medical workers.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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None at all leads to slow, pale, sad-looking growth that limps through the season.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
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The unchanged chain was dubbed Ethereum Classic, which still limps along today, though its market cap is far less than 1% of actual Ethereum.—
Emin Gün Sirer,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, video of Collins placing shackles on a white woman’s wrists at the museum gained attention on social media.—
Terry Tang,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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The National Historic Park now displays chains and shackles in concrete along with information about the area's history.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
This is due, in large part, to expectations of a strong El Niño, which traditionally hinders storm development.—
Robin Webb,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Our systems are overly complex, spanning hundreds of dependencies, which hinders our ability to move fast.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Reaching out and sharing what’s going on lets in the light.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
7 June 2026
-
The other lets go of a red balloon.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.—
Jeremy Mennis,
The Conversation,
1 May 2026
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The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hobbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbles. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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