encumber
/in'kʌmbə/ Cách viết khác : (incumber) /in'kʌmbə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To impede or hinder the movement, action, or progress of someone or something; to be a burden or obstacle. The core meaning is to weigh down or hold back, creating difficulty or delay.
- To burden with a legal or financial obligation, such as a mortgage or lien. This is a specific legal and financial usage, meaning to place a claim or charge on property.
Usage
- The verb encumber is transitive and requires a direct object (e.g., encumber or ).
- It is often used in formal, written, or descriptive contexts.
- Common collocations include: encumbered something, encumber , encumber .
Examples
General Usage (to hinder/burden):
- Heavy boots encumbered the hikers as they tried to climb quickly.
- The company's growth was encumbered by excessive bureaucracy and old regulations.
- She did not want to be encumbered with too much luggage on her trip.
Legal/Financial Usage (to place a claim on):
- The property is encumbered by a large mortgage.
- The estate was encumbered with debts that took years to settle.
Advanced Usage
"Encumbered with/by": This is the standard prepositional phrase used to indicate the source of the burden or hindrance.
- The rescue team was encumbered by their heavy protective gear.
- His mind was encumbered with worries.
In a figurative sense: Can describe abstract burdens like thoughts, emotions, or responsibilities.
- She felt encumbered by the expectations of her family.
Variants and Related Words
Encumbrance (noun): A burden or impediment.
- The lack of funding was a major encumbrance to the project.
- A legal claim on an asset is also called an encumbrance.
Unencumbered (adjective): Free from burdens or obstacles.
- He traveled light and unencumbered.
- She owned the house unencumbered, with no mortgage.
Synonyms
- Hinder: To create difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.
- Hamper: To hinder or impede movement or progress.
- Burden: To load or weigh down, literally or figuratively.
- Impede: To delay or block progress by obstructing.
Antonyms
- Facilitate: To make an action or process easier.
- Free: To release from a constraint or burden.
- Disencumber: To free from a burden or obstacle (a direct antonym formed from the same root).