as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the downtown development committee claims that it's hamstrung by city ordinances protecting historic buildings
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Recent Examples of hamstring
In a memo to staff, Owens said his journalistic independence had been hamstrung over the previous months.
—
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 2 July 2025
The party has been loath to do more than tweak the California Environmental Quality Act, or approve one-off exemptions, despite pressure from the governor and national criticism of a law that reform advocates say has hamstrung California’s ability to build.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Their attacks may look different on the surface, but they are all rooted in the same textbook fascist strategy designed to fuel the American police state and to hamstring our communities’ fight against white supremacy.
—Rod Adams, Essence, 25 May 2025
And company insiders worry that Apple, despite its years of gravity-defying profits, is hamstrung by the political infighting, penny pinching and talent drain that often bedevil large companies, according to more than a dozen former and current employees and advisers.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Steve Kopack, NBC news, 2 July 2025
The party has been loath to do more than tweak the California Environmental Quality Act, or approve one-off exemptions, despite pressure from the governor and national criticism of a law that reform advocates say has hamstrung California’s ability to build.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
Their attacks may look different on the surface, but they are all rooted in the same textbook fascist strategy designed to fuel the American police state and to hamstring our communities’ fight against white supremacy.
—Rod Adams, Essence, 25 May 2025
And company insiders worry that Apple, despite its years of gravity-defying profits, is hamstrung by the political infighting, penny pinching and talent drain that often bedevil large companies, according to more than a dozen former and current employees and advisers.
—Tripp Mickle, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
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House Republicans, paralyzed by internal fighting over the Jeffrey Epstein files, will embark early for a lengthy summer recess later this week after canceling votes on Thursday.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
22 July 2025
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With the House floor paralyzed, House GOP leaders announced on Tuesday that the chamber is leaving for a five-week district work period a day earlier than expected.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
22 July 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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Avoid Common Mistakes Despite the benefits of catch-up contributions, many individuals make avoidable errors that undermine their effectiveness.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with them and undermine judicial independence.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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These effects leave both adults and children highly vulnerable: even experienced swimmers can quickly be incapacitated.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
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The blackout incapacitated banks, mobile networks, and e-government services, crippling the country’s core systems.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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