hog-tied 1 of 2

adjective

as in helpless
unable to act or achieve one's purpose prosecutors were hog-tied as the convicted felon was freed on a technicality

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hog-tied

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hog-tie
as in hampered
to create difficulty for the work or activity of their principals' inflexible demands virtually hog-tied the diplomats' efforts to negotiate a peace treaty

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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 hog-tied
Verb
In fact, police questioned several other men in connection with the murder of Weaver, who was hog-tied, raped and strangled by her attacker, who then set a fire in her bedroom to cover his tracks, court papers state. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 15 May 2026 Most damning of all is that her body was found hog-tied in a conspicuously similar fashion as Reynolds’ previous presumptive victim, Bunny Davis. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Jan. 2026 Well, for one, the go-to induction method is being roused from your bed in the middle of the night, hog-tied, and tossed in a van. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hog-tied
  1. helpless
  2. hampered
  3. paralyzed
  4. impeded
  5. weak
  6. hindered
  7. embarrassed
  8. obstructed
Adjective
  • While he’s been fighting in Troy, his palace has been overrun by men who want to marry his faithful wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and murder his helpless son, Telemachus (Tom Holland).
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • The grandfather is seen running around a few trees, but the bison soon catches up and tosses the helpless visitor eight feet in the air.
    — Suzanne Yeo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of helpless
Verb
  • And that his injury severely hampered their chances in the second half of the campaign.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • The response has been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, and an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, as well as mistrust among local communities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of hampered
Adjective
  • Yuba City resident Michelle Reinhart said the disease left her essentially paralyzed, unable to move her hands or head for about two weeks after contracting the disease in 2015.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • His fixation on the bill — which lacks enough GOP support in the Senate — has undermined unrelated Republican priorities in both chambers and nearly paralyzed legislative business in the House.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 July 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Verb
  • Supporters had campaigned for Merlin to be allowed into the Azteca to witness Mexico’s final group game — but the dabbler found his free passage impeded on Wednesday evening by FIFA regulations.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • The Sugar Act directly impeded colonial drinking, as molasses is a key ingredient in rum.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Definition of impeded
Adjective
  • But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of weak
Verb
  • But Scottie’s putting, deservedly heralded over the past 18 months, has hindered him.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Backers downsizing the Utah monuments said the protective boundaries stretched too far and hindered mining for critical minerals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
Definition of hindered
Verb
  • Parenting advice has changed so much in even the last two decades that folks from older generations who raised seemingly healthy kids might feel left behind, embarrassed by their outdated opinions, or defensive of their own parenting choices.
    — Parents, Parents, 16 July 2026
  • Austin Theory, Maxxine Dupri, Bron Breakker and Logan Paul walked to the back glowing as the group embarrassed Otis and Akira Tozawa in the ring a few moments before.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Verb
  • Thai officials said investigators would examine the ceiling materials and whether any emergency exits were obstructed, potentially hindering evacuation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Manager Craig Counsell wasn’t happy second-base umpire Ramon De Jesus did not rule the Orioles’ Henderson obstructed second base with his foot on Hoerner’s steal attempt.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of obstructed

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Cite this Entry

“Hog-tied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hog-tied. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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