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hin·der 1 (h n d r)v. hin·dered, hin·der·ing, hin·ders v.tr.1. To be or get in the way of. 2. To obstruct or delay the progress of. v.intr. To interfere with action or progress.
[Middle English hindren, from Old English hindrian; see ko- in Indo-European roots.]
hin der·er n. Synonyms: hinder1, hamper1, impede, obstruct, block, dam1, bar1 These verbs mean to slow or prevent progress or movement. To hinder is to hold back and often implies stopping or prevention: The travelers were hindered by storms. To hamper is to hinder by or as if by fastening or entangling: His clothes hampered his efforts to swim to safety. To impede is to slow by making action or movement difficult: "Our journey was impeded by a thousand obstacles" (Mary Shelley). Obstruct implies the presence of obstacles: A building obstructed our view of the mountains. Block refers to complete obstruction that prevents progress, passage, or action: "Do not block the way of inquiry" (Charles S. Peirce). Dam suggests obstruction of the flow, progress, or release of something: She dammed the brook to form a pool. He dammed up his emotions. To bar is to prevent entry or exit or prohibit a course of action: The legislature passed laws that bar price fixing. |
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