hamper

1 of 2

verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering ˈham-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impede

Pitching … violently in the seaway, hampered by her heavy tow …

—R. S. Porteous

b

: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt

… radio communications hampered by static …

—Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada)

2

a

: to moderate or limit the effect or full exercise of : curb, restrain

a work environment that hampers creativity

b

: to interfere with : to impede the natural activity of : encumber

Bad weather hampered the search effort.

a project hampered by budget restraints

hamper

2 of 2

noun

: a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (such as food or laundry)

Synonyms of hamper

Verb

• hinder
• impede
• obstruct
• embarrass

Choose the Right Synonym for hamper

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of hamper in a Sentence

Verb

The project was hampered by budget restraints.

Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The company is seeking to create a Duchenne gene therapy that is more effective and safer than Sarepta Therapeutics’ Elevidys, which has been hampered by safety concerns, particularly following the deaths of two recipients from liver failure. —Jason Mast, STAT, 14 May 2026

Further hampering communication is the high level of turnover in the top ranks of BSO personnel who work at the airport. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

Noun

Modern Perspectives on Laundry Sorting With the growing popularity of large-capacity front-loading washers in the late 1990s, consumers welcomed the possibility of washing all of the dirty laundry in the hamper at the same time. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 May 2026

This is a vital source of trade-level information for independent researchers because Dune doesn’t impose onerous data transfer rate limits that hamper searches. —Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

Noun

Middle English hamper, hanaper, literally, case to hold goblets, from Anglo-French hanaper, from hanap goblet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hnæpp bowl

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamper

• top-hamper

Rhymes for hamper

• camper
• damper
• pamper
• scamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of

bad weather hampered the search

hamper

2 of 2 noun

: a large basket usually with a cover

a clothes hamper