v.
Pronunciation: ' hin-d ə r
Function: verb
Inflected Form: hin · dered ; hin · der · ing \ -d( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; akin to Old English hinder behind
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to make slow or difficult the progress of : HAMPER
2 : to hold back : CHECK
intransitive verb : to delay, impede, or prevent action
– hin · der · er \ -d ə r- ə r \ noun
synonyms HINDER , IMPEDE , OBSTRUCT , BLOCK mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. HINDER stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress <rain hindered the climb>. IMPEDE implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering <tight clothing that impedes movement>. OBSTRUCT implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way <the view was obstructed by billboards>. BLOCK implies complete obstruction to passage or progress <a landslide blocked the road>.