hindrance
Americannoun
-
an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like.
-
the state of being hindered.
-
a person or thing that hinders.
- Synonyms:
- restraint, check, obstruction, encumbrance, impediment
- Antonyms:
- aid
noun
-
an obstruction or snag; impediment
-
the act of hindering; prevention
Usage
What does hindrance mean? A hindrance is something that hinders—makes it harder for something to happen or be done or for someone to do something. Hindrance is most commonly used in the context of progress, tasks, work, or other things that involve the completion of a goal. Hindrances delay, interrupt, or slow down progress. The words obstacle and impediment are very similar. Hindrances are usually things, such as events or circumstances, but a person can be considered a hindrance, such as when they hinder someone else’s progress or work by interrupting them, getting in their way, or putting obstacles in their way. Although the verb hinder can also mean to completely prevent or stop something from happening, hindrances are usually temporary obstacles. Hindrance can also refer to the act of hindering or the state of being hindered. Example: Don’t let one failure be a hindrance to your goals.
Related Words
See obstacle.
Etymology
Origin of hindrance
First recorded in 1400–50, hindrance is from the late Middle English word hinderaunce. See hinder 1, -ance
Explanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing hindrance
"Harrison Bergeron"
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Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sabalenka said players should stop proceedings immediately and call for a video review for hindrance, following Daniil Medvedev's dispute with Jack Draper in the quarter-finals.
From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026
"Cruz Beckham is very identifiable as the child of two huge stars, and people are really cynical. So I think it's more of a hindrance in 2026, to be honest," she says.
From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026
In Northern Europe, winter isn’t a hindrance for war, but in fact makes it more likely.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026
Severe winter weather can also be a hindrance, as it was last month.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026
It was a hindrance for someone with such a longing to fly.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
