hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.
rain hindered the climb
impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.
tight clothing that impedes movement
obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.
the view was obstructed by billboards
block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.
a landslide blocked the road
Example Sentences
Verb The witness refused to cooperate, hindering the investigation. The country's economic growth is being hindered by the sanctions. It's not clear whether the change will help or hinder our project. Adjective the animal's case of mange was especially bad in its hinder parts
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
While nonexistent air conditioning can hinder students at the beginning and end of the school year, the opposite problem can have even greater consequences. Christina Zdanowicz, CNN, 18 Sep. 2022 The release, which did not specify when the remote testing options would become available, noted that a lack of access to testing facilities, data and simulations can hinder research into autonomous vehicles. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 13 Sep. 2022 And take note: Heavy, fatty, or spicy meals ahead of a trip can also hinder rest. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2022 Essentially, the state does not have enough workers to fill the job openings and that can hinder the growth of the economy. Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 20 July 2022 Content helps boost your business’s visibility and credibility, so posting too little can hinder your thought leadership strategy. Yogesh Shah, Forbes, 27 May 2022 The lack of a serial number can hinder police from tracing them back to an owner. Sarah Ravani, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan. 2022 Supply chain jams can hinder sales for businesses like Cleo's Bogeda. Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Dec. 2021 The Justice Department has objected to the appointment, saying review by a special master would delay its investigation and hinder a national security review by the intelligence community. Sarah D. Wire, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old English hinder behind
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English hinder, adverb — see hinderentry 1