hamper
1 of 2verb
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
R. S. Porteous b
: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt
radio communications hampered by static Globe & Mail
Globe & Mail2
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 2noun
: 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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb The project was hampered by budget restraints. Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.
Recent Examples on the Web Hanna Arhirova, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 Grossi expressed concern that that could hamper the staff’s response in an emergency. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 The Justice Department argued that releasing the affidavit could hamper its investigation and potentially harm those involved. Perry Stein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 And some business groups voiced concerns that the move could hamper their operations, prompt shoppers to take their money elsewhere or put workers in the position of enforcing rules many no longer want to follow. Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 On Thursday, Apple also warned that the outbreak there would hamper demand and production of iPhones and other products. New York Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Russia’s assault on Ukraine has increased scrutiny on DJI over fears that Beijing’s close geopolitical partnership with Moscow might hamper the company’s efforts to prevent its products from being used by the Russian army. Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 Another fall and winter wave of cases, or the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, could call into question the wisdom of the CDC’s strategic pivot or hamper the agency’s ability to reimpose tougher guidelines. Lena H. Sun And Joel Achenbach, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Aug. 2022 Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that grandstanding by US officials on prisoner swaps would only raise tensions and hamper possible interactions on prisoner exchanges. Adela Suliman, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Brian Melley, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Russia's ability to produce technologically advanced weapons is likely to be further eroded as sanctions hamper imports. Marc Champion, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 All this is occurring as hiring continues difficult and kinked supply chains further hamper business operations. Mary Josephs, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Savory snacks are an integral part of any picnic spread, and front and center in That High Couple’s hamper was a bright orange bag of Fiery Hot cannabis crunchers. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 For smaller pool toys, like beach balls and water blasters, a rectangular plastic hamper works well for storage. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 Instead of throwing your laundry on the floor or a desk chair, toss items in a hamper on your door. House Beautiful, 5 July 2022 Supply chain disruptions drag on as problems with semiconductors hamper production. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2022 What type of laundry hamper to get is a hot topic, and depends on how far from the room the washers and dryers live. Leanne Italile, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2022 See More
Verb
Grossi expressed concern that that could hamper the staff’s response in an emergency. Hanna Arhirova, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Sep. 2022 Grossi expressed concern that that could hamper the staff’s response in an emergency. Andrew Mark Miller, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2022 The Justice Department argued that releasing the affidavit could hamper its investigation and potentially harm those involved. Perry Stein, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 And some business groups voiced concerns that the move could hamper their operations, prompt shoppers to take their money elsewhere or put workers in the position of enforcing rules many no longer want to follow. Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 On Thursday, Apple also warned that the outbreak there would hamper demand and production of iPhones and other products. New York Times, 29 Apr. 2022 Russia’s assault on Ukraine has increased scrutiny on DJI over fears that Beijing’s close geopolitical partnership with Moscow might hamper the company’s efforts to prevent its products from being used by the Russian army. Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2022 Another fall and winter wave of cases, or the emergence of a new coronavirus variant, could call into question the wisdom of the CDC’s strategic pivot or hamper the agency’s ability to reimpose tougher guidelines. Lena H. Sun And Joel Achenbach, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Aug. 2022 Earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that grandstanding by US officials on prisoner swaps would only raise tensions and hamper possible interactions on prisoner exchanges. Adela Suliman, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2022 Noun
Firefighters struggled to control major wildfires in Southern California and the Sierra Nevada that exploded in growth, forced thousands to evacuate and produced smoke that could interfere with solar power and further hamper electricity supplies. Brian Melley, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022 Russia's ability to produce technologically advanced weapons is likely to be further eroded as sanctions hamper imports. Marc Champion, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Aug. 2022 All this is occurring as hiring continues difficult and kinked supply chains further hamper business operations. Mary Josephs, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Savory snacks are an integral part of any picnic spread, and front and center in That High Couple’s hamper was a bright orange bag of Fiery Hot cannabis crunchers. Adam Tschorn, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 For smaller pool toys, like beach balls and water blasters, a rectangular plastic hamper works well for storage. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 Instead of throwing your laundry on the floor or a desk chair, toss items in a hamper on your door. House Beautiful, 5 July 2022 Supply chain disruptions drag on as problems with semiconductors hamper production. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 27 July 2022 What type of laundry hamper to get is a hot topic, and depends on how far from the room the washers and dryers live. Leanne Italile, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
hamper 1 of 2
verb
ham·per ˈham-pər
hampered; hampering
: to keep from moving or acting freely
Snow hampered traffic.
hamper
2 of 2noun
: a large basket usually with a cover
a clothes hamper
hamper 1 of 2
verb
as in to hinder
to create difficulty for the work or activity of fallen branches hampered the hikers as they made their way along the narrow path Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hinder
- impede
- obstruct
- embarrass
- handicap
- inhibit
- delay
- stymie
- restrain
- disrupt
- constrain
- block
- cramp
- hobble
- thwart
- frustrate
- clog
- encumber
- shackle
- handcuff
- stifle
- fetter
- tie up
- short-circuit
- hold back
- trammel
- tie
- curb
- interfere (with)
- hog-tie
- bind
- rein
- sabotage
- manacle
- give a hard time
- retard
- cramp one's style
- brake
- chain
- retain
- check
- strangle
- baffle
- derail
- roadblock
- confine
- blockade
- hold up
- tether
- arrest
- choke
- balk
- barricade
- leash
- foil
- smother
- halter
- suffocate
- muzzle
- mire
- stump
- bog (down)
- repress
- suppress
- hedge (in)
- hem (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- facilitate
- aid
- help
- assist
- open
- liberate
- clear
- free
- promote
- release
- encourage
- make way
- loosen
- unclog
- smooth
- further
- unstop
- untie
- unplug
hamper
2 of 2noun
as in basket
Synonyms & Similar Words
- basket
- bag
- pocket
- sack
- crate
- caddy
- bin
- box
- trunk
- locker
- carton
- cooler
- warmer
- kit
- casket
- basin
- bowl
- can
- case
- bottle
- kettle
- pack
- tub
- jug
- cartridge
- bucket
- pail
- pitcher
- keg
- handbasket
- jar
- container
- pot
- carrier
- vat
- receptacle
- holder
- vessel
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of hamper are clog, fetter, manacle, shackle, and trammel. While all these words 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
The meanings of clog and hamper largely overlap; however, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
a court system clogged by frivolous suits
The synonyms fetter and hamper are sometimes interchangeable, but fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
a nation fettered by an antiquated class system
Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.
a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny
While in some cases nearly identical to hamper, trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
rules that trammel the artist's creativity
- belonophobia
- belonophobic
- Belorussia
- belorussiae
- Belorussian
- belorussians
- belorussias
- belostomatid
- Belostomatidae
- belostomatidaes
- Belostomidae
- belote
- belotte
- belouga
- belousov-zhabotinskii reaction
- Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction
- beloved
- beloveds
- beloves
- beloving
- below
- below par
- below standard
- below the belt
- below-the-fold