hindrance

American  

[hin-druhns] / ˈhɪn drəns /

noun

1. an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like.

2. the state of being hindered.

3. a person or thing that hinders.

   Synonyms:

   restraint, check, obstruction, encumbrance, impediment

   Antonyms:

   aid

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hindrance British  

/ ˈhɪndrəns /

noun

1. an obstruction or snag; impediment

2. the act of hindering; prevention

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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."

Example Sentences

“This is an unsustainable burden for ICE employees and a hindrance to ICE operations given the exceptional growth in congressional visits,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

These sky-high valuations clearly haven’t been a hindrance for chip investors yet, though.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Briton Draper was penalised with a controversial hindrance call, after which Russian Medvedev was booed by some fans.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 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

But aboard Old Nero, Roger quickly found that his freewheeling rowing style was more hindrance than help when it came to mastering the racing stroke that Tom Bolles and Al Ulbrickson taught in the 1930s.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• barrier
• deterrent
• drawback
• handicap
• hitch
• impediment
• interference
• interruption
• obstacle
• snag
• stumbling block