as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail
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Recent Examples of encumbrance
And despite insistences from Trump and his allies that having to attend the trial is an encumbrance designed to keep him off the campaign trail, the bodega visit was a good reminder that there’s still plenty of time in the week for Trump to campaign.
—
Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
In California, a clean title indicates a property with no liens, encumbrances or claims, ensuring the seller has clear and legal rights to sell without issue.
—Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
—Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
In California, a clean title indicates a property with no liens, encumbrances or claims, ensuring the seller has clear and legal rights to sell without issue.
—Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
—Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
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In Court Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, March 6th ‘Hamilton’ Cancels Kennedy Center Show Run In Protest Of Trump’s ‘Purge’ Despite these obstacles, female founders demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Trump, much like Putin, sees Ukraine as an inconvenience, an obstacle, something that should be grateful to even have a seat at the table.—
Illia Ponomarenko,
TIME,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Today, these hurdles are now compounded by the circumstances of a mediatized, globalized present in which artworks are readily circulated and recontextualized online—made hyper-visible through social media and simultaneously flattened by the internet’s immediacy.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Rosario faces 20 years on the obstruction charge and five years for lying to the FBI.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Feb. 2025
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This medication should not be used on pregnant or lactating animals, or animals with urinary, stomach or intestinal obstructions, high blood pressure or hyperthyroidism.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As a further embarrassment, our country voted alongside such paragons of liberty as Belarus and North Korea in voting against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s aggression.—
The Editorial Board,
Orange County Register,
5 Mar. 2025
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Widely seen as a diplomatic embarrassment, the exchange raised concerns about America's commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian invasion.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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