hamper

1 of 2

verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering ˈham-p(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to restrict the movement of by bonds or obstacles : impede

pitching … violently in the seaway, hampered by her heavy tow

—R. S. Porteous

b

: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt

radio communications hampered by static

—Globe & Mail

2

a

: to moderate or limit the effect or full exercise of : curb, restrain

a work environment that hampers creativity

b

: to interfere with : to impede the natural activity of : encumber

Bad weather hampered the search effort.

a project hampered by budget restraints

hamper

2 of 2

noun

: a large basket usually with a cover for packing, storing, or transporting articles (such as food or laundry)

Synonyms

Verb

• clog
• cramp
• embarrass
• encumber
• fetter
• handcuff
• handicap
• hinder
• hobble
• hog-tie
• hold back
• hold up
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• manacle
• obstruct
• shackle
• short-circuit
• stymie
• tie up
• trammel

Choose the Right Synonym for hamper

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting.

hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.

hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of hamper in a Sentence

Verb

The project was hampered by budget restraints.

Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Aly Song | Reuters Trump's tariffs on China are already hampering Christmas sales. —Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,jeff Cox,christina Wilkie,erin Doherty,ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025

The deep budget cuts at HHS have also hampered the nation’s disease-detection capacity and pandemic preparedness with respect to pathogens such as bird flu, according to experts. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Noun

Aponte’s father called 911 to report that his daughter had given birth overnight after discovering the baby in a purple towel inside the hamper, NJ.com reported, citing the affidavit. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Place towels in wicker baskets, use a rattan laundry hamper, or install bamboo shades for your bathroom windows. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

Noun

Middle English hamper, hanaper, literally, case to hold goblets, from Anglo-French hanaper, from hanap goblet, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hnæpp bowl

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hamper

• top-hamper

Rhymes for hamper

• camper
• damper
• pamper
• scamper
• stamper
• tamper

Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of

bad weather hampered the search

hamper

2 of 2 noun

: a large basket usually with a cover

a clothes hamper