Definition

Noun: 1. The act of hindering or obstructing or impeding: The action of making something difficult or slowing its progress. 2. Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome: A physical object or barrier that gets in the way. 3. Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress: A non-physical factor, such as a rule, a lack of skill, or a circumstance, that causes delay or difficulty.

Usage and Examples

• As an immaterial obstacle:
  • His lack of experience was a major hinderance to getting the job.
  • The bad weather proved to be a significant hinderance to the rescue operation.
• As a physical obstruction:
  • The fallen tree on the road was a hinderance to traffic.
• As the act of hindering:
  • The constant hinderance of the investigation by officials was frustrating.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Spelling Variant: The word is more commonly spelled hindrance. Both "hinderance" and "hindrance" are correct, but "hindrance" is the standard and more frequent spelling in modern English.
• Formal Register: The word is often used in formal, academic, or professional contexts to describe obstacles.

Variants and Related Words

• Hinder (verb): To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
  • Heavy traffic hindered our progress.
• Hindrance (noun): The standard spelling of the same word.

Synonyms

• Impediment: Something that slows or blocks progress.
• Obstacle: A thing that blocks one's way or prevents progress.
• Obstruction: The action of obstructing or the state of being obstructed.
• Handicap: A circumstance that makes progress or success difficult.
• Drawback: A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage.

Antonyms

• Aid: Help or support.
• Advantage: A condition giving a greater chance of success.
• Assistance: The action of helping someone.
• Benefit: An advantage or profit gained from something.

Noun

1. the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding
2. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
3. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress