hindrance
Other forms: hindrances
A hindrance is something in the way, an obstacle. An untied shoelace is a hindrance to walking, and tripping in the lunchroom might be a hindrance to getting a seat at the cool table.
You might hear the phrase, "more of a hindrance than a help." It means that something intended to be a positive force has the opposite effect, like when your four-year-old sister tries to help you make dinner. Hindrance refers to the act of slowing things down, or the thing that's causing the problem, like your "helpful" little sister. It's the noun form of the verb hinder, which is "to get in the way."
-
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
-
synonyms:
encumbrance, hinderance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventative, preventive
-
types:
-
clog
any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction
-
speed bump
a hindrance to speeding created by a crosswise ridge in the surface of a roadway
-
type of:
-
impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor
any structure that makes progress difficult
-
clog
-
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
synonyms:
balk, baulk, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, impediment
-
types:
- show 10 types...
- hide 10 types...
-
albatross, millstone
(figurative) something that hinders or handicaps
-
bind
something that hinders as if with bonds
-
diriment impediment
(canon law) an impediment that invalidates a marriage (such as the existence of a prior marriage)
-
drag
something that slows or delays progress
-
obstacle, obstruction
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
-
straitjacket
anything immaterial that severely hinders or confines
-
barrier, roadblock
any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective
-
hang-up, hitch, rub, snag
an unforeseen obstacle
-
hurdle
an obstacle that you are expected to overcome
-
stymie, stymy
a thwarting and distressing situation
-
type of:
-
difficulty
a factor causing trouble in achieving a positive result or tending to produce a negative result
-
the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding
-
synonyms:
hinderance, interference
-
types:
- show 20 types...
- hide 20 types...
-
foiling, frustration, thwarting
an act of hindering someone's plans or efforts
-
antagonism
(biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure
-
obstruction
the act of obstructing
-
complication
the act or process of complicating
-
deterrence
the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety
-
bar, prevention
the act of preventing
-
blockage, closure, occlusion
the act of blocking
-
stall, stalling
a tactic used to mislead or delay
-
discouragement
the act of discouraging
-
nuclear deterrence
the military doctrine that an enemy will be deterred from using nuclear weapons as long as he can be destroyed as a consequence
-
averting
the act of preventing something from occurring
-
debarment
the act of prevention by legal means
-
disqualification
the act of preventing someone from participating by finding them unqualified
-
interception
the act of intercepting; preventing something from proceeding or arriving
-
non-proliferation, nonproliferation
the prevention of something increasing or spreading (especially the prevention of an increase in the number of countries possessing nuclear weapons)
-
forestalling, obviation, preclusion
the act of preventing something by anticipating and disposing of it effectively
-
prophylaxis
the prevention of disease
-
save
(sports) the act of preventing the opposition from scoring
-
crushing, quelling, stifling, suppression
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
-
obstruction of justice
impeding those who seek justice in a court (as by trying to influence or intimidate any juror or witness or officer of the court); can result in a finding of contempt of court
-
type of:
-
act, deed, human action, human activity
something that people do or cause to happen
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing hindrance
First published in 1820, this lyrical drama tells the story of how Prometheus is freed from his imprisonment after he defies the gods by giving fire to humans.
In the city of Baltese, a magician conjures an elephant out thin air and forever changes the lives of many people, including orphans Peter and Adele.
This list covers "Lottery," "The Fight," Romeo and Juliet, "An Irish Airman Foresees His Death," "Prayer to the Pacific," and "Sestina."
Look up hindrance for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
