Encumber - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To encumber means to burden or weigh someone or something down, making movement or progress difficult. It can refer to physical obstacles, financial debts, or excessive responsibilities.
Definition:
To burden or weigh down, making movement or progress difficult.
Synonyms:
burden, hinder, hamper, impede, obstruct
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
facilitate, assist, free
Common Collocations:
encumbered with debt, encumbered by responsibilities, encumbered with luggage
Derivatives:
encumbrance, encumbering, encumbered
Usage Tips:
Use "encumber" to describe something that physically or metaphorically slows progress or adds difficulty.
Common Phrases:
encumbered with debt, encumbered by obligations, encumbered with baggage
Etymology:
From Old French "encombrer," meaning to block or hinder, derived from Latin "cumulus" (heap).
Examples:
- 1. The heavy backpack will encumber you during the hike.
- 2. She didn’t want to encumber her team with unnecessary tasks.
- 3. Legal issues may encumber the company’s expansion plans.
- 4. His debts began to encumber his financial freedom.