encumber
[ en-kuhm-ber ]
/ ɛnˈkʌm bər /
verb (used with object)
to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.
to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.
to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.
to burden with obligations, debt, etc.
Words nearby encumber
encrustation, encrypt, encryption, enculturate, enculturation, encumber, encumbrance, encumbrancer, ency., encyclical, encyclopedia
Also incumber.
Origin of encumber
OTHER WORDS FROM encumber
en·cum·ber·ing·ly, adverbun·en·cum·bered, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for encumbering
British Dictionary definitions for encumbering
encumber
incumber
/ (ɪnˈkʌmbə) /
verb (tr)
to hinder or impede; make difficult; hamperencumbered with parcels after going shopping at Christmas; his stupidity encumbers his efforts to learn
to fill with superfluous or useless matter
to burden with debts, obligations, etc
Derived forms of encumber
encumberingly or incumberingly, adverbWord Origin for encumber
C14: from Old French encombrer, from en- 1 + combre a barrier, from Late Latin combrus, of uncertain origin
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