as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the downtown development committee claims that it's hamstrung by city ordinances protecting historic buildings
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hamstring
Wise, on the other hand, is sensuous and loving, but she too is hamstrung by the material.
—
Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
Severson is in the second year of an eight-year, $50 million contract (through 2030-31), the kind of long-term, big-dollar contract that can hamstring a small-market club.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
The move hamstrings one of the most prominent financial regulatory bodies in the U.S., especially at a time when the incoming Republican administration has pledged large-scale deregulation across industries.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
The defense had complained restrictions on computer use at MDC-Brooklyn were hamstringing the music mogul's ability to assist his attorneys.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hamstring 
Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
Severson is in the second year of an eight-year, $50 million contract (through 2030-31), the kind of long-term, big-dollar contract that can hamstring a small-market club.
—Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
The move hamstrings one of the most prominent financial regulatory bodies in the U.S., especially at a time when the incoming Republican administration has pledged large-scale deregulation across industries.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
The defense had complained restrictions on computer use at MDC-Brooklyn were hamstringing the music mogul's ability to assist his attorneys.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
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President Donald Trump called for unity in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning — largely steering clear of addressing controversies around his actions cracking down on immigration and paralyzing federal efforts to distribute international aid.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC News,
6 Feb. 2025
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Heavy snowfall paralyzes mountain travel The Sierra Nevada has been buried under heavy snowfall, with accumulations exceeding a foot on Tuesday.—
Hanna Park and Robert Shackelford,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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This feels eerily similar to when Trump cut a deal with the Taliban while excluding the Afghan government—undermining their legitimacy and paving the way for disaster.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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But the meeting itself provided legitimacy to far-right politicians pushing for a Christian state and undermined U.S. foreign policy, experts and officials said.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the bond market, Treasury yields fell after a report said sales at U.S. retailers weakened by much more last month than economists expected.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
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His executive order, unless reversed by the courts, will encourage greater corruption in Latin America, hurting the region’s economies, weakening democratic institutions and making countries poorer.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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He was drugged before being taken back to his apartment by the defendants, who then robbed him of over $2,000 and left him lying incapacitated on his bed, according to prosecutors.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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One punch by Harrison Ford's terrifying Red Hulk is enough to outright incapacitate Wilson for good.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hamstring
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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