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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Recent Examples of hamstring
The banking system was hamstrung not because of a lack of clarity regarding who were the banking regulatory agencies, but rather because, for whatever reason, official guidance no longer could be relied upon.
—
Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
But since then, the company has been hamstrung by launch delays.
—Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
Though her performance as Joan Baez had been nominated at SAG, other precursors passed her over, and with a voting body that now tends to prefer veterans (see Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini), the Top Gun: Maverick actress could have been hamstrung by a lower career profile.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
The Rams are hamstrung until Stafford’s situation finds clarity.
—Jay Paris, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Gene A. Grant Ii, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
But since then, the company has been hamstrung by launch delays.
—Ars Technica, 5 Mar. 2025
Though her performance as Joan Baez had been nominated at SAG, other precursors passed her over, and with a voting body that now tends to prefer veterans (see Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini), the Top Gun: Maverick actress could have been hamstrung by a lower career profile.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
The Rams are hamstrung until Stafford’s situation finds clarity.
—Jay Paris, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hamstring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstring
Verb
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Soon, failure to hit your daily goals will sound much worse than any of the noise that used to paralyze you.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The vote has thrown the House into disarray and paralyzed the chamber, leaving Johnson to find a way to break the impasse.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 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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Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One way that could happen would be for foreign countries to weaken their currency to make the same product cheaper in dollars for tariff purposes, without raising the end cost to the consumer.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unlike snakes that rely on camouflage and venom yield to incapacitate prey, the black mamba’s strategy is shock-and-awe defense.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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If she was incapacitated by a crash, her car could’ve veered into the river.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hamstring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstring. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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