encumbrance

noun

in-ˈkəm-brən(t)s How to pronounce encumbrance (audio)
Definition of encumbrancenext
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult without the encumbrance of a heavy backpack, I could sprint along the trail

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of encumbrance The title reflects ongoing ownership, which may include various legal claims or encumbrances, while the deed is specific to the act of transferring ownership from one party to another. — True Tamplin, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 The narrative spun by Johnson and his allies was that the country’s natural exuberance had been stifled for half a century by bureaucrats in Brussels and that freed from these encumbrances, the union would flourish. — Fintan O’Toole, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2024 And despite insistences from Trump and his allies that having to attend the trial is an encumbrance designed to keep him off the campaign trail, the bodega visit was a good reminder that there’s still plenty of time in the week for Trump to campaign. — Derek Hawkins, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024 In California, a clean title indicates a property with no liens, encumbrances or claims, ensuring the seller has clear and legal rights to sell without issue. — Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
  1. obstacle
  2. hurdle
  3. obstruction
  4. embarrassment
Noun
  • Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.
    — Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Even those who successfully raise initial capital face formidable hurdles in securing follow-on funding, often under pressure to demonstrate rapid growth and immediate profitability—expectations fundamentally misaligned with the long-term nature of early-stage venture building.
    — Joseph Edgar, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The case will face significant hurdles, particularly because Gastineau and Favre are public figures whose interaction was recorded in front of a group of people.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurdle
Noun
  • Man threatened, attacked latter carrier over several months The Justice Department became aware of Franklin's actions toward the carrier after the United States Postal Inspection Service received a complaint about Franklin possibly committing threats and obstruction against the employee.
    — Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Since the start of 2025, 26 drivers have been injured in traffic incidents in Missouri caused by foreign objects or obstructions in the road, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol data.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of obstruction
Noun
  • But Couples has missed the cut in four of his last five starts at Augusta National, and the prospect of embarrassment does not sit well with him.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • But their latest entry into this costly genre is yet another embarrassment in a string of them, and similarly destined to be forgotten.
    — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of embarrassment

Browse Nearby Words

encumbers
encumbrance
encumbrances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on encumbrance

Nglish: Translation of encumbrance for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All