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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.

encumber

/ɪnˈkʌmbɚ/ /ɪnˈkʌmbə/

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.

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