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encumber Definition

en·cum·ber (en kum′bər, in-)

transitive verb

  1. to hold back the motion or action of, as with a burden; hinder; hamper
  2. to fill in such a way as to obstruct; block up; obstruct
  3. to load or weigh down, as with claims, debts, etc.; burden

Etymology: ME encombren < OFr encombrer: see en- & cumber

encumber Synonyms

encumber

v.

burden, hamper, obstruct, weigh down; see burden, hinder.

encumber Usage Examples

Object

  • user: The proportions of car users encumbered by either luggage or shopping are shown in Figure 26.
  • sleeper: Yet also there encumbered sleepers groaned, Too fast in thought or death to be bestirred.
  • man: Will Miss Lucy be the sister of a very poor, fettered, burdened, encumbered man?
  • freehold: These involve the retention of a lease, subject to which the encumbered freehold is gifted.
  • way: At the foot of the path the copper man leaned down and tossed aside with ease the rocks that encumbered the way.

Preposition: with

  • luggage: Too many fresh arrivals take place every moment, and the docks become too much encumbered with luggage to admit of the amusement.
  • baggage: He is not encumbered with the baggage of past practice; he has no need to defend the Board's amateur bumbling.

Subject

  • luggage: The proportions of car users encumbered by either luggage or shopping are shown in Figure 26.
  • shopping: Bus users were more likely than car users to be encumbered by shopping or luggage on their journeys.
  • people: The entire ( village ) community considers itself encumbered by leprosy-affected people.

Preposition: by

  • luggage: The proportions of car users encumbered by either luggage or shopping are shown in Figure 26.
  • shopping: Bus users were more likely than car users to be encumbered by shopping or luggage on their journeys.
  • people: The entire ( village ) community considers itself encumbered by leprosy-affected people.

Modifying Another Word

  • so: Finally, there were areas that were so encumbered with ruins as to discourage development until modern times.
  • not: Today the majority of Scottish Lodges are not encumbered by owning property.
  • much: Too many fresh arrivals take place every moment, and the docks become too much encumbered with luggage to admit of the amusement.
  • still: The field of the labor movement is today still encumbered with huge remnants of the old bankrupt organizations.
  • heavily: These do not affect state businesses alone, but these are the most heavily encumbered with taxes.
  • otherwise: Women make more journeys using public transport, with children and otherwise encumbered.