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
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This gross oversight, which is largely due to a lack of financial backing, impedes reproductive health for everyone.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Falsehood scales instantly; correction limps behind.—
Tom Debley,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Every time one player returns to the court, another limps off.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The former is now in shackles in a New York detention facility after being snatched from Caracas by US special forces in an extraordinary overnight raid.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
-
He was kept in shackles and handcuffs for 16 hours.—
STEVE KARNOWSKI,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Federal police chased and targeted people randomly in public places like stores, shopping center parking lets, a church lawn and a country club and at times aimed their weapons at people or threatened them.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Dec. 2025
-
The federal government’s permissiveness toward this form of betting lets platforms operate nationwide without following state laws or tax rates—a potentially lucrative proposition that has gained venture capital backing while angering states and tribal groups.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The short life of Alexander Hamilton both feeds and fetters Vaill’s project.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hobbles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbles. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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