hinder

¹ American  

[hin-der] / ˈhɪn dər /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede.

   The storm hindered our progress.

   Synonyms:

   trammel, obstruct, encumber

   Antonyms:

   encourage

2. to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop.

   to hinder a man from committing a crime.

   Synonyms:

   deter, block

---

verb (used without object)

1. to be an obstacle or impediment.

hinder ² American  

[hahyn-der] / ˈhaɪn dər /

adjective

1. situated at the rear or back; posterior.

   the hinder part of a carcass.

---

noun

1. Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S. the buttocks.

hinder ¹ British  

/ ˈhɪndə /

verb

1. to be or get in the way of (someone or something); hamper

2. (tr) to prevent

---

hinder ² British  

/ ˈhaɪndə /

adjective

1. (prenominal) situated at or further towards the back or rear; posterior

   the hinder parts

---

Usage

What does hinder mean? To hinder something is to make it harder for it to happen or be done, such as by delaying it or interrupting it. To hinder someone is to make it harder for them to do something.Close synonyms are hamper, impede, and obstruct. The word hinder is usually followed by the thing being hindered. It’s most commonly used in the context of progress, tasks, work, or other things that involve the completion of a goal.A person can hinder someone else’s progress or work by interrupting them, getting in their way, or putting obstacles in their way. This can be intentional or unintentional. Obstacles themselves can also be said to hinder a person’s progress. When an obstacle hinders someone, it gets in their way, slows them down, and prevents them from making further progress (until they find a way past it).Hinder can also mean to completely prevent or stop something from happening. However, in most cases, hinder doesn’t mean to stop something completely—only to slow its progress or delay it temporarily by making it more difficult to do.Something that hinders can be called a hindrance.Example: This traffic jam might hinder our ability to get there on time, but I’m going to try a detour.

Related Words

See prevent.

Other Word Forms

• hinderer noun
• hindering adjective

Etymology

Origin of hinder¹

First recorded before 1000; from Middle English hindren, Old English hindrian “to hold back,” equivalent to hinder hinder ² + -ian, causative verb suffix

Origin of hinder²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Old English hinder (adverb) “behind”; cognate with German hinter (preposition) “behind”

Example Sentences

In reinforcing the energy vs. environment narrative, this decision could hinder efforts to foster conservation in the energy industry.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

More than five weeks into the war, the Iranian army has dismissed what it called Trump's "arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats", saying they would not hinder its operations.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Changes to the U.S. fleet could also hinder the U.S.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Critics have argued that factors like the rocky ground will drive costs higher, and that the remote location will hinder staffing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Before Gandalf could hinder him he thrust the brand amid the fuel, and at once it crackled and roared into flame.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• block
• burden
• crimp
• curb
• delay
• deter
• frustrate
• hamper
• hamstring
• hold up
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere
• interrupt
• obstruct
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• retard
• slow down