encumber

verb

in-ˈkəm-bər How to pronounce encumber (audio)
Definition of encumbernext
1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the claim that all of these regulations encumber doctors, taking time away from the actual practice of medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to load
to place a weight or burden on don't encumber your pack animal so much that it can hardly move

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 encumber The Mavericks now begin a comprehensive search for their next head coach, hoping their next candidate is a promising figure with little regard for the spree of bad luck that has encumbered this organization. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026 Many analysts noting the stock’s run-up due to news in March of price increases and a general sense of relief that the company wouldn’t be encumbered by a massive acquisition of traditional assets. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2026 Neither encumbers this production. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026 His brand of athleticism is predicated on a bouncy explosiveness that shouldn’t be encumbered with unnecessary bulking. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encumber
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumber
  1. impede
  2. load
  3. hinder
  4. burden
  5. hamper
  6. fill
  7. obstruct
  8. embarrass
Verb
  • Lynda Albertson, an art-crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Lynda Albertson, an art crime analyst, said the works are instantly recognizable, impeding any effort to sell them through reputable channels.
    — Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • The Buckeyes are loaded, even though the program lost four standouts within the NFL Draft’s first 11 picks.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pack the car in reverse order, so the last box loaded is the first one your student needs.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of load
Verb
  • Moser's mother, Rachel Moser, was charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, and related charges.
    — Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • Despite digitizing clinical records, EHRs often burdened physicians with extensive data entry, reducing patient interaction and leading to workarounds like medical scribes.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, some 87% of extremely low-income Coloradans, or those who support a family of four on less than US$43,200 per year, are considered cost-burdened.
    — Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of burden
Verb
  • Likewise, when crime bosses become international liabilities that could hamper Beijing’s relations with other countries, or when their political patrons fall and there are fewer political costs to targeting them, Beijing will act.
    — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The administration’s postponement of a Food and Drug Administration rule hampered the food safety system, which hindered a response to the outbreak.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Gleaming marble basins filled with floating flowers sit comfortably with antique stone tubs that used to hold olive oil back in the day.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If the market reaches equilibrium, those will need to be filled to prevent the next crisis.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill
Verb
  • Overly rigid implementation could also obstruct productive work.
    — Kavin Bendre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The order prohibits anyone from withholding or obstructing necessary treatment or removing, discharging or transferring the child while the case is pending.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • One night earlier in the tour, a woman Usher had brought onstage rebuked him, which embarrassed him.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrass

Browse Nearby Words

enculturating
encumber
encumbered
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Encumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumber. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on encumber

Nglish: Translation of encumber for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All