1
as in hampering
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
we were hobbled by the snowstorm from getting out to do some Christmas shopping
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limping
to walk while favoring one leg
I hobbled home with a twisted ankle
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hobbling
The Knicks are back out in front, as Jalen Brunson is balling despite hobbling after hurting his right knee and left ankle.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
That late-game run––forty-four points to the Cavs’ eleven––was as soul-crushing to Cleveland as the apparition of Willis Reed, hobbling to center court, had been to the Lakers fifty-six years ago.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Multiple drugs already in use for treating high cholesterol work by hobbling PCSK9.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
Pivot from Russia to Venezuela After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Cubans endured years of severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and basic supplies, hobbling transportation and many basic services.
—Dulce Suarez, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Footage of the game then showed George hobbling back to the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Clark was seen hobbling on the court after taking a step-back three-point shot and landing on Wings star defender Alanna Smith’s foot in the third quarter of the matchup.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Against a Connecticut team more difficult to kill than a cockroach in body armor and their leading scorer hobbling around with a knee sprain, ankle sprain and bone bruise, the Wolverines gutted out every point in their 69-63 national championship victory.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The impact sends both men hurling to the pavement, and the shoeless rear passenger can be seen hobbling on one foot afterward.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 4 June 2026
That late-game run––forty-four points to the Cavs’ eleven––was as soul-crushing to Cleveland as the apparition of Willis Reed, hobbling to center court, had been to the Lakers fifty-six years ago.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 30 May 2026
Multiple drugs already in use for treating high cholesterol work by hobbling PCSK9.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
Pivot from Russia to Venezuela After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Cubans endured years of severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and basic supplies, hobbling transportation and many basic services.
—Dulce Suarez, The Conversation, 28 May 2026
Footage of the game then showed George hobbling back to the dugout, slamming his helmet in frustration.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Clark was seen hobbling on the court after taking a step-back three-point shot and landing on Wings star defender Alanna Smith’s foot in the third quarter of the matchup.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Against a Connecticut team more difficult to kill than a cockroach in body armor and their leading scorer hobbling around with a knee sprain, ankle sprain and bone bruise, the Wolverines gutted out every point in their 69-63 national championship victory.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The impact sends both men hurling to the pavement, and the shoeless rear passenger can be seen hobbling on one foot afterward.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbling
Verb
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Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Deep mistrust among some people in the town is hampering response efforts to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus — for which there is no vaccine.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The 29-year-old checked out of the game and was seen limping back to the locker room as the first quarter came to an end.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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In years past, the Knicks had to survive playoff runs, limping to a finish line well out of reach.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Over the years, the number of cars parking near the bridge — often illegally, sometimes impeding emergency vehicles — has risen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Advertisement More than 600 defendants were accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers during the riot, and nearly 175 were accused of using dangerous or deadly weapons.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Last year, probation officials began requiring CLERB to seek court approval before obtaining records in cases involving juveniles — a process former CLERB officials and advocates described as hindering meaningful oversight.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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Using a milk application too frequently can also suffocate the plant by clogging its pores and hindering photosynthesis.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Then to Sydney Harbour, the very scene of that embarrassing capsize exactly a year earlier, and the Americans won the event outright for a first win since October 2023.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
Verb
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The decision comes a year after 23-year-old Samson Allen appealed his guilty verdict of resisting and obstructing police.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
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Comey was first indicted last September by a federal grand jury in Virginia on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding in connection with his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hobbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbling. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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