Synonyms of hinder

hinder 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhīn-dər 

as in rear

being at or in the part of something opposite the front part

the animal's case of mange was especially bad in its hinder parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rear
• back
• hind
• aft
• after
• posterior
• dorsal
• rearward
• hindmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• front
• anterior
• forward
• frontal
• fore
• ventral

hinder

2 of 2

verb

ˈhin-dər 

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

was not hindered by a lack of money because she could use what food she had on hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass
• inhibit
• stymie
• handicap
• delay
• disrupt
• interfere (with)
• restrain
• encumber
• block
• constrain
• cramp
• hobble
• clog
• tie up
• thwart
• fetter
• shackle
• hold back
• frustrate
• handcuff
• short-circuit
• trammel
• stifle
• hog-tie
• curb
• tie
• give a hard time
• bind
• manacle
• retard
• cramp one's style
• rein
• hold up
• retain
• brake
• check
• balk
• strangle
• derail
• confine
• sabotage
• arrest
• tether
• choke
• bog (down)
• barricade
• baffle
• chain
• blockade
• smother
• leash
• suffocate
• repress
• foil
• roadblock
• suppress
• mire
• muzzle
• halter
• stump
• hedge (in)
• hem (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• facilitate
• assist
• aid
• open
• clear
• liberate
• make way
• release
• promote
• encourage
• free
• loosen
• unclog
• unplug
• smooth
• unstop
• further
• untie

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hinder contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hinder are block, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

Where would block be a reasonable alternative to hinder?

The words block and hinder can be used in similar contexts, but block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When would impede be a good substitute for hinder?

The words impede and hinder are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When could obstruct be used to replace hinder?

The meanings of obstruct and hinder largely overlap; however, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hinder

Verb

Efforts to bring back the festival began as early as 2020, but they were hindered by the pandemic. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

The administration argued collective bargaining and certain labor protections hinder the flexibility and efficiency needed in government operations, particularly in agencies involved with national security. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025

This administration will force institutions to choose between Title IX compliance or federal funds—and we will not be hindered by organizations who want to pretend federal anti-discrimination law doesn't exist. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

However, some connections hinder, rather than help, professional progress. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025