hampering
Getting in way
Hampering is interfering with movement or progress, creating obstacles that slow things down.
A sprained ankle hampers mobility.
Bureaucracy hampers innovation.
Bad weather was hampering rescue efforts.
The word suggests impediment rather than complete prevention—something hampered can still proceed, just with difficulty.
Creating obstacles to progress
- impedingBlocking forward motion
- obstructingBlocking forward movement
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- slowingDecreasing in velocity
delaying · retarding · inhibiting · restricting · constraining · limiting · curbing · decelerating
Causing irritation, blocking progress
- foilingDefeating an attempt
- stymieingPreventing forward movement
- sabotagingDeliberately undermining or destroying
- underminingWeakening by covert means
derailing · defeating · blocking · preventing · counteracting · neutralizing · circumventing · disrupting
Loading down, hindering
- weighing downAdding burden or mass
- burdeningImposing a load
- overloadingExceeding safe capacity
- overburdeningLoading beyond capacity
saddling · loading · taxing · straining · handicapping · disadvantaging · hobbling · shackling
Forcibly restraining or inhibiting
- repressingSubduing into unconsciousness
- smotheringDepriving of air
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
- inhibitingPreventing or slowing action
restraining · cramping · trammeling · curtailing · quashing · squelching · muzzling · strangling
hindering
Creating obstacles to progress
- impedingBlocking forward motion
- obstructingBlocking forward movement
- blockingImpeding forward progress
slowing · delaying · retarding · inhibiting · restricting · constraining · limiting · curbing · decelerating · stalling
frustrating
Causing irritation, blocking progress
- foilingDefeating an attempt
- stymieingPreventing forward movement
- sabotagingDeliberately undermining or destroying
undermining · derailing · defeating · blocking · preventing · counteracting · neutralizing · circumventing · disrupting · interfering
encumbering
Loading down, hindering
- weighing downAdding burden or mass
- burdeningImposing a load
- overloadingExceeding safe capacity
overburdening · saddling · loading · taxing · straining · handicapping · disadvantaging · hobbling · shackling · fettering
suppressing
Forcibly restraining or inhibiting
- repressingSubduing into unconsciousness
- smotheringDepriving of air
- stiflingOppressively hot and close
inhibiting · restraining · cramping · trammeling · curtailing · quashing · squelching · muzzling · strangling · constricting
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- restrainingconstraining, restricting, limiting, confining, curbing
- overwhelmingoverwhelming, overpowering, crushing, engulfing, smothering
hamperingfreeing
Releasing from confinement
liberating · unshackling · unbinding · releasing · unleashing