hindrance

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.

The first records of the word hindrance come from the 1400s. Its base word, hinder, comes from the Old English hindrian, meaning “to hold back.” The suffice -ance is used to form nouns.

A hindrance is something that holds you back, blocks you, or makes what you’re doing more difficult. Heavy rain can be a hindrance to your ability to see clearly when driving. Distractions are a hindrance to getting work done efficiently. In sports, it’s often the goal of a defender to be a hindrance to their opponents in their attempts to score. Still, in most cases, a hindrance is something that delays something from happening or makes it more difficult—not stops it completely.

What are some other forms related to hindrance?

• hinder (verb)

What are some synonyms for hindrance?

• impediment
• obstacle
• barrier
• deterrent

What are some words that share a root or word element with hindrance? 

• hind

What are some words that often get used in discussing hindrance?

• progress
• plan
• work
• goal
• hamper
• block
• delay
• prevent
• interfere
• thwart
• deter
• hold
• back
• stop
• interrupt

Hindrance is usually used in the context of progress that has been delayed or goals that have been made more difficult by certain obstacles.

The downside of homeownership.

""Home ownership is a significant hindrance to mobility, and homeowners suffer longer unemployment spells and more frequent job loss because of it." @foxjusthttps://t.co/ycjRlWGGdV

— Brian Hollar (@brianhollar) April 3, 2018

The hardest thing 20-year-olds can do is cut off friends who become a hindrance to them. It's also the wisest decision they'll ever take.

— Jose R. Rosado (@joserosado) November 3, 2020

Sometimes I feel like my job experience is more of a hindrance than it is helpful. You work a job to pay the bills and then going forward everyone assumes you want to do more of the same.

— ǝıqqoᴚ (@Macrobstar) November 2, 2020

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of hindrance?

A. assistance
B. barrier
C. impediment
D. obstacle