hindrance

[ hin-druhns ]

noun

1. an impeding, stopping, preventing, or the like.
2. the state of being hindered.
3. a person or thing that hinders.

   Synonyms: restraint, check, obstruction, encumbrance, impediment

   Antonyms: aid

hindrance

/ ˈhɪndrəns /

noun

1. an obstruction or snag; impediment
2. the act of hindering; prevention

Word History and Origins

Origin of hindrance¹

First recorded in 1400–50, hindrance is from the late Middle English word hinderaunce. See hinder ¹, -ance

Synonym Study

See obstacle.

Example Sentences

Even though Alaska’s small population and great distance are hindrances to purchasing, she said, the state has been able to stockpile most of the equipment it needs for the hospitals it supplies.

From Washington Post

Nikic’s journey to an unprecedented feat began with a father who did not want his son’s condition to be a hindrance.

From Washington Post

Depending on the perspective, Fisker’s history is either an advantage or a hindrance when lined up against other EV companies.

From Fortune

Blackness, queerness, womanhood, othering, and their intersections, are not hindrances in Rihanna’s world, but rather facets to be proud of.

From Essence.com

To no one’s surprise, the committee said the current 2G speed doesn’t “pose any hindrance to Covid-19 control measures.”

From MIT Technology Review

We are not told that Cooper had been able to vote without hindrance when she lived in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

From The Daily Beast

Jim Kessler with Third Way, a centrist Democratic group, describes it as “getting out of the way…more service than hindrance.”

From The Daily Beast

“The drug war is a big hindrance to my freedom,” he says in the video.

From The Daily Beast

In the long run, was the Warren Commission a help, a hindrance, or some of both?

From The Daily Beast

As Romney learned the hard way, titans of finance can be more of a hindrance than a help.

From The Daily Beast

This was a crude arrangement and often proved more of a hindrance than of a help to the player.

From Project Gutenberg

The memories of the night before came to me without shadow or hindrance, escorted gaily by the hopes of the night to come.

From Project Gutenberg

These are not only useless to man, but when he lies upon his back they are an actual hindrance to the free flow of the blood.

From Project Gutenberg

About this date, another cause, in addition to the quieta non movere principle, interfered to the hindrance of any such proposals.

From Project Gutenberg

These presented no serious hindrance to our attaining high speed, for we could tell just where to expect them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barrier
• deterrent
• drawback
• handicap
• hitch
• impediment
• interference
• interruption
• obstacle
• snag
• stumbling block

More About Hindrance

What does hindrance mean?

A hindrance is something that hinders—makes it harder for something to happen or be done or for someone to do something.

Hindrance is most commonly used in the context of progress, tasks, work, or other things that involve the completion of a goal. Hindrances delay, interrupt, or slow down progress. The words obstacle and impediment are very similar.

Hindrances are usually things, such as events or circumstances, but a person can be considered a hindrance, such as when they hinder someone else’s progress or work by interrupting them, getting in their way, or putting obstacles in their way.

Although the verb hinder can also mean to completely prevent or stop something from happening, hindrances are usually temporary obstacles.

Hindrance can also refer to the act of hindering or the state of being hindered.

Example: Don’t let one failure be a hindrance to your goals.

Where does hindrance come from?

The first records of the word hindrance come from the 1400s. Its base word, hinder, comes from the Old English hindrian, meaning “to hold back.” The suffice -ance is used to form nouns.

A hindrance is something that holds you back, blocks you, or makes what you’re doing more difficult. Heavy rain can be a hindrance to your ability to see clearly when driving. Distractions are a hindrance to getting work done efficiently. In sports, it’s often the goal of a defender to be a hindrance to their opponents in their attempts to score. Still, in most cases, a hindrance is something that delays something from happening or makes it more difficult—not stops it completely.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to hindrance?

• hinder (verb)

What are some synonyms for hindrance?

• impediment
• obstacle
• barrier
• deterrent

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

• hind

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

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

How is hindrance used in real life?

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

The downside of homeownership.

""Home ownership is a significant hindrance to mobility, and homeowners suffer longer unemployment spells and more frequent job loss because of it." @foxjusthttps://t.co/ycjRlWGGdV

— Brian Hollar (@brianhollar) April 3, 2018

The hardest thing 20-year-olds can do is cut off friends who become a hindrance to them. It's also the wisest decision they'll ever take.

— Jose R. Rosado (@joserosado) November 3, 2020

Sometimes I feel like my job experience is more of a hindrance than it is helpful. You work a job to pay the bills and then going forward everyone assumes you want to do more of the same.

— ǝıqqoᴚ (@Macrobstar) November 2, 2020

 

Try using hindrance!

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

A. assistance
B. barrier
C. impediment
D. obstacle