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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in limping
to walk while favoring one leg
I hobbled home with a twisted ankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hobbling
This unequal setup ensures that migrants and refugees remain contained in the countries least equipped to host them, which only works when aid functions as the grease that keeps the system hobbling along.
—
Kelsey Norman,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
The consequences ranged from hobbling Reconstruction to hastening the end of the Ottoman Empire to poisonous deflation, and the blundering response by governments helped shape the modern world.
—
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
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
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
Kelsey Norman,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
The consequences ranged from hobbling Reconstruction to hastening the end of the Ottoman Empire to poisonous deflation, and the blundering response by governments helped shape the modern world.
—
Air Mail,
6 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hobbling
Verb
-
The sanctions are hampering work on a broad array of investigations at the court.
-
Winds of up to 50 mph stoked the flames and severely limited the fire response by hampering boat and aircraft access to the remote island.
Verb
-
The remarkable performance by Messi laid to rest any concern about his hamstring scare, which had fans worried after he was seen limping off of the field during a Major League Soccer matchup on Sunday, May 24.
-
Willis Reed limping to the court for a Game 7.
Verb
-
Florida’s sanctuary city laws forbid local governments from impeding ICE from doing its job, such as by not sharing information with the federal government.
-
Fifteen people, most of them Minnesotans, were arrested and charged last week, accused of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Verb
-
This raises concerns as companies reduce entry-level hiring, hindering the development of crucial tacit knowledge.
-
Over the decades the O’odham placed some barbed wire along the border to keep livestock from straying into the neighboring country, limiting the spread of maladies such as foot-and-mouth disease and hindering cattle thieves.
Verb
-
The moms aren’t embarrassing their kids.
-
Several other policy changes led to blowback from the public and Starmer was forced to make a series of embarrassing U-turns that provided political capital for opponents and fed beliefs that the prime minister didn’t stand for much.
Verb
-
The passenger rail service said that eight cars and two locomotives derailed after striking the dump truck that was obstructing the crossing.
-
Lone Tree Police Department The driver is facing charges including DUI, reckless driving and obstructing a police officer.
Cite this Entry
“Hobbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hobbling. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
