hamper

1 of 2

verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər How to pronounce hamper (audio)
hampered; hampering ˈham-p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce hamper (audio)
Synonyms of hampernext

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

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Production was also hampered during the writers’ and actors’ strikes last year, further delaying Season 3. —Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024 Officials aim to finalize the agreement by 2026, but disputes over binding commitments have hampered talks. —Amir Daftari, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
This lack of standardization hampers efficient inventory management and complicates procurement processes. —Paul J. Noble, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Keep scrolling to find more laundry hampers at Amazon below. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hamper 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hamper was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing hamper

Dictionary Entries Near hamper

Hampden

hamper

Hamprace

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hamper. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb
ham·​per ˈham-pər How to pronounce hamper (audio)
hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce hamper (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on hamper

Nglish: Translation of hamper for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hamper for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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