as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encumbrance
The narrative spun by Johnson and his allies was that the country’s natural exuberance had been stifled for half a century by bureaucrats in Brussels and that freed from these encumbrances, the union would flourish.
—
Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
Meanwhile, many of the same people were evicted from their houses as landowners used the crisis to clear off these human encumbrances and free their fields for more profitable pasturage.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
At closing, Seller shall cause the then applicable mortgages to be released as an encumbrance against the Property and may use Buyer’s closing proceeds for such purpose....
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024
Meanwhile, many of the same people were evicted from their houses as landowners used the crisis to clear off these human encumbrances and free their fields for more profitable pasturage.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
At closing, Seller shall cause the then applicable mortgages to be released as an encumbrance against the Property and may use Buyer’s closing proceeds for such purpose....
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
Having a semblance of moderated AI regulations and laws that are flexible and not crushing is potentially worth considering, but the inherent nature of any such encumbrances is that they will be overplayed and shut down AI innovation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
-
Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
These financial hurdles can lead to the perception that technology adoption simply isn’t worth it.—
James Lindsey,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Now that many of the technical hurdles have been cleared, stem cells appear poised to offer a new treatment option for Parkinson's, and perhaps other brain diseases like epilepsy or Alzheimer's.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, Michael was previously arrested in 2020 and charged with a misdemeanor offense of criminal obstruction of breathing and second-degree harassment.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
18 Mar. 2025
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Since the start of 2025, 26 drivers have been injured in traffic incidents in Missouri caused by foreign objects or obstructions in the road, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol data.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Around 2010 to 2011, as Woods walked knee-deep in the funk of public embarrassment, endless injuries and a broken swing, the door swung open to players desperate for space in major tournaments.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Maybe Thursday is the start of something, of a retreat from embarrassment.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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