hinder

¹

[ hin-der ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede:

   The storm hindered our progress.

   Synonyms: trammel, obstruct, encumber

   Antonyms: encourage

2. to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop:

   to hinder a man from committing a crime.

   Synonyms: deter, block

verb (used without object)

1. to be an obstacle or impediment.

hinder

²

[ hahyn-der ]

adjective

1. situated at the rear or back; posterior:

   the hinder part of a carcass.

noun

1. Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S. the buttocks.

hinder

¹

/ ˈhaɪndə /

adjective

1. prenominal situated at or further towards the back or rear; posterior

   the hinder parts

hinder

²

/ ˈhɪndə /

verb

1. to be or get in the way of (someone or something); hamper
2. tr to prevent

Derived Forms

• ˈhinderer, noun
• ˈhindering, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• hin·der·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinder¹

First recorded before 1000; from Middle English hindren, Old English hindrian “to hold back,” equivalent to hinder hinder ² + -ian, causative verb suffix

Origin of hinder²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; compare Old English hinder (adverb) “behind”; cognate with German hinter (preposition) “behind”

Word History and Origins

Origin of hinder¹

Old English; related to Old Norse hindri latter, Gothic hindar beyond, Old High German hintar behind

Origin of hinder²

Old English hindrian; related to Old Norse hindra, Old High German hintarōn

Synonym Study

See prevent.

Example Sentences

"Our innovative approach significantly reduces the masking effects of highly abundant plasma proteins, which often hinder the detection of critical biomarkers in human plasma," Mahmoudi explained.

From Science Daily

While antibiotic resistance provides some advantages for the bacteria to survive, the team discovered that it's also linked with a physiological limitation that hinders potential dominance.

From Science Daily

Serrano valiantly continued, her eyesight hindered as she wiped blood every few seconds.

From BBC

Some firefighters on the ground said this created a challenge, but officials insisted it didn’t hinder operations.

From Los Angeles Times

His victory is now likely to hinder Xi Jinping’s plans to transform the country into a technology powerhouse – and further strain relations between the world’s two biggest economies.

From BBC

Related Words

• block
• burden
• crimp
• curb
• delay
• deter
• frustrate
• hamper
• hamstring
• hold up
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere
• interrupt
• obstruct
• preclude
• prevent
• prohibit
• retard
• slow down

More About Hinder

What does hinder mean?

To hinder something is to make it harder for it to happen or be done, such as by delaying it or interrupting it. To hinder someone is to make it harder for them to do something.

Close synonyms are hamper, impede, and obstruct. The word hinder is usually followed by the thing being hindered. It’s most commonly used in the context of progress, tasks, work, or other things that involve the completion of a goal.

A person can hinder someone else’s progress or work by interrupting them, getting in their way, or putting obstacles in their way. This can be intentional or unintentional. Obstacles themselves can also be said to hinder a person’s progress. When an obstacle hinders someone, it gets in their way, slows them down, and prevents them from making further progress (until they find a way past it).

Hinder can also mean to completely prevent or stop something from happening. However, in most cases, hinder doesn’t mean to stop something completely—only to slow its progress or delay it temporarily by making it more difficult to do.

Something that hinders can be called a hindrance.

Example: This traffic jam might hinder our ability to get there on time, but I’m going to try a detour.

Where does hinder come from?

The first records of the word hinder come from before 1000. It comes from the Old English hindrian, meaning “to hold back.” It’s related to the adjective hind, meaning “situated in the rear or at the back,” as in hind leg. (Something that is more hind can be said to be hinder, but this word is rarely used.)

To hinder someone is to hold them back, to block them, or to make what they’re doing more difficult. Heavy rain can hinder your ability to see clearly when driving. Distractions can hinder your ability to get work done efficiently. In sports, it’s often the goal to hinder your opponents’ attempts to score. Still, in most cases, to hinder something is to delay it or make it more difficult—not to stop it completely.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to hinder?

• hinderer (noun)
• hinderingly (adverb)
• unhindered (adjective)
• unhindering (adjective)
• hindrance (noun)

What are some synonyms for hinder?

• hamper
• impede
• obstruct

What are some words that share a root or word element with hinder? 

• hind

What are some words that often get used in discussing hinder?

• progress
• plan
• work
• goal
• obstacle
• block
• delay
• prevent
• interfere
• thwart
• deter
• hold
• back
• stop
• interrupt

How is hinder used in real life?

Hinder is usually used in the context of progress that has been delayed or goals that have been made more difficult by certain obstacles.

Strong winds hinder efforts to contain a #wildfire in Montana, USA. More global pics: http://t.co/Ilm8kTniYg Dija pic.twitter.com/3DHpMRycWg

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) July 23, 2015

MY PAPER on @ScienceMagazine! SO PROUD 💚🖤! "These results add to a small yet growing body of work providing concrete evidence of how language barriers affect nonnative English speakers and hinder diversity in science" Thanks @rpocisv https://t.co/ze6mjRo5Ta

— Valeria R.C (@Valeria_RamCas) October 28, 2020

I am an introvert. And to my fellow shut-ins please hear me when I say this… Don’t let your desire to be alone hinder your growth as a person. Social situations are a constant struggle for me but I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t push out of my comfort zone.

— Annus (@markiplier) June 22, 2018

 

Try using hinder!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of hinder?

A. help
B. hamper
C. impede
D. obstruct