encumber

Verb

Meaning

To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning.

To load with debts, or other legal claims; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

cumber retard block hinder restrain overload obstruct clog oppress embarrass fetter lade trammel charge tax

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Antonyms

disencumber further free help aid promote

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Hypernyms

trammel limit bound restrict throttle confine

Hyponyms

bridle curb clog

Related terms

cumber cumbersome incumbrance unencumber

Derivatives

encumbered Encumbering

Examples

The more research you do, the more at ease you are in the world you're writing about. It doesn't encumber you, it makes you free. A. S. Byatt

[One's] own burden doesn't encumber. Russian Proverb

Close letter words and terms

enculturation enculturational enculture encumbered encumbered asset encumberedness