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
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
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
—Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
The house, together with all its conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, other interests, termites and skunks.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance 
Pat Kapowich, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024
There have been suggestions that AI needs Section 230 because large language models train on data and will be better if that data is freely usable with no liabilities or encumbrances.
—Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024
But, eventually, families and jobs and the various other encumbrances of adult life conspire to pull you away.
—Andrew Keh Bryan Meltz, New York Times, 24 July 2023
The house, together with all its conveyances, encumbrances, assignments, contracts, mortgages, liens, other interests, termites and skunks.
—Virginia Hammerle, Dallas News, 26 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for encumbrance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encumbrance
Noun
-
As businesses adapted to new ways of working, obstacles were removed for employees who had previously found their options limited.—
Gene Myers,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Poor planning can jeopardize access to space, materials, and equipment, leading to obstacles that drain time and money.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Their restaurant group, Strategic Hospitality, helps manage those practical hurdles and provides access to resources from accounting to HR.—
Mackensy Lunsford,
The Tennessean,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Financing the film was an early hurdle for Molayemi and Sohani.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
According to Bennett Gershman, a professor at Pace University's law school, free speech protections allow residents to discuss law enforcement in their neighborhoods, but language that actively encourages evasion of authorities could possibly be construed as obstruction of justice.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Menendez was found guilty on charges including extortion, honest services wire fraud, obstruction of justice, acting as a foreign agent for Egypt, bribery, and conspiracy.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
But that doesn’t seem to be the purpose of the record, which leans more heavily into fan service — a treat for those who’ve stayed loyal (or at least neutral) as Drake suffered the past year’s cavalcade of embarrassments.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
-
No mention of Ukraine, not a word about Russia—VP Vance’s scolding lecture to Europe about free speech at the Munich Security Conference today was a complete embarrassment.—
Security & Defense Reporter Ellie Cook , reporting from Munich,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near encumbrance
Cite this Entry
“Encumbrance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encumbrance. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share