hamper

¹

[ ham-per ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold back; hinder; impede:

   A steady rain hampered the progress of the work.

   Synonyms: clog, trammel, encumber, obstruct

   Antonyms: facilitate, encourage, further

2. to interfere with; curtail:

   The dancers' movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.

noun

1. Nautical. gear that, although necessary to the operations of a vessel, is sometimes in the way.

hamper

²

[ ham-per ]

noun

1. a large basket or wickerwork receptacle, usually with a cover:

   picnic hamper;

   clothes hamper.

2. British. such a basket together with its contents, especially food.

hamper

¹

/ ˈhæmpə /

noun

1. a large basket, usually with a cover
2. such a basket and its contents, usually food
3. a laundry basket

hamper

²

/ ˈhæmpə /

verb

1. tr to prevent the progress or free movement of

noun

1. nautical gear aboard a vessel that, though essential, is often in the way

Derived Forms

• ˈhamperedness, noun
• ˈhamperer, noun

Other Words From

• hampered·ly adverb
• hampered·ness noun
• hamper·er noun
• un·hampered adjective
• un·hamper·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamper¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English hampren; akin to Old English hamm “enclosure,” hemm hem ¹

Origin of hamper²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English hampere, variant of hanypere hanaper

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamper¹

C14: variant of hanaper

Origin of hamper²

C14: of obscure origin; perhaps related to Old English hamm enclosure, hemm hem ¹

Synonym Study

See prevent.

Example Sentences

But not knowing when these memory prompts are going to appear in front of us can hamper our ability to forget.

From Slate

Still, Trump can take unilateral steps to slow spending, and use federal regulatory powers to further hamper the rollout process.

From Salon

U.S. liquified natural gas producers worry that retaliatory tariffs could hamper their business.

From Salon

The American right has been captured by a self-dealing cadre of liars and crackpots determined to make epistemic war on journalists, scholars, and anyone else whose pesky adherence to facts and logic might hamper the implementation of their rancid political project.

From Slate

A lung cancer diagnosis that would hamper her ability to speak followed in 2021 and a battle with prescription pill addiction was hot on its heels.

From Salon