encumber

[ en-kuhm-ber ]

verb (used with object)

1. to impede or hinder; hamper:

   Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.

2. to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous:

   a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.

3. to burden or weigh down:

   She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.

4. to burden with obligations, debt, etc.

encumber

/ ɪnˈkʌmbə /

verb

1. to hinder or impede; make difficult; hamper

   his stupidity encumbers his efforts to learn

   encumbered with parcels after going shopping at Christmas

2. to fill with superfluous or useless matter
3. to burden with debts, obligations, etc

Derived Forms

• enˈcumberingly, adverb

Other Words From

• en·cumber·ing·ly adverb
• unen·cumbered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of encumber¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English encombren, encombre, encomber, from Anglo-French, Middle French encombrer, equivalent to en- prefix + -combrer, verbal derivative of combre “dam, weir,” from early Medieval Latin combrus, from Gaulish comberos (unrecorded) “confluence, bringing together” (compare Quimper, in Brittany, from Breton Kemper ); en- ¹, com-, bear ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of encumber¹

C14: from Old French encombrer, from en- ¹+ combre a barrier, from Late Latin combrus, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

A shark cannot sink the submarine alone, but it can certainly encumber it.

From Slate

“Under the terms of their ground lease with the university, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried have the right to use their leasehold interest as collateral for the bond, just as they can encumber their leasehold interest with a mortgage. Neither situation requires approval from the university,” Dee Mostofi, assistant vice president for external communications, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The next sequels, I suspect, will give them more time for that, but may also encumber them with more baggage.

From New York Times

Judge Bellis also essentially froze Mr. Jones’s personal assets, issuing an order saying that he was “not to transfer, encumber, dispose or move his assets out of the United States until further order of the court.”

From New York Times

Firm, faithful, and devoted, full of energy, and zeal, and truth, he labours for his race; he clears their painful way to improvement; he hews down like a giant the prejudices of creed and caste that encumber it.

From Literature

Related Words

• burden
• overburden