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
  • But passengers don’t have to be helpless during these stressful ordeals.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Technology can erode privacy, concentrate power, damage the environment, and leave people feeling helpless.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of helpless
Verb
  • Four in 10 American kids will become adults hampered by obesity, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, or other conditions that can limit their opportunities and shorten their lives.
    — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Aliyah Boston finished with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Fever, despite being hampered by a lower leg injury.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of hampered
Adjective
  • The injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down after jumping from a second-story window.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But Congress appears paralyzed and its leaders unfamiliar with what they’re supposed to be regulating.
    — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of paralyzed
Verb
  • The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team's efforts to get information.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The ongoing conflict that has driven people from their homes in Iran as well as an internet shutdown and a lack of full cooperation from the two governments partially impeded the team’s efforts to get information.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of impeded
Adjective
  • This process can be even more pronounced in smaller galaxies in which the gravitational influence is weaker, and the black holes are less likely to be strongly bound to the galactic center.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Takaichi’s spending plans have drawn attention, raising concerns of debt sustainability and a weaker yen which have pushed Japanese bond yields to multidecade highs.
    — Chloe Taylor,Lee Ying Shan,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of weak
Verb
  • Wright admitted his confidence was shaken last season when a knee injury hindered his development, and limited his opportunities early.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Last season as a rookie, Ferguson was hindered early in the schedule because of a hamstring injury suffered during training camp.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of hindered
Verb
  • All must be corrected or the Dolphins could be embarrassed by the Chiefs.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Yeah, the Cardinals — led by rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator — embarrassed the Bolts at home.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Verb
  • And there are a handful of seats at the top of the upper deck adjacent to the scoreboards that have obstructed views of one corner of the field, so few dozen fans will find a less than premium experience.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Reigns was obstructed from doing his usual moves without feeling any pain.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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