hamper

1 of 2

verb

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

b

: to interfere with the operation of : disrupt

radio communications hampered by static

—Globe & Mail

2

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 2

noun

: 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

Choose the Right Synonym for hamper

hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle 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

trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.

rules that trammel the artist's creativity

clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.

a court system clogged by frivolous suits

fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.

a nation fettered by an antiquated class system

shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.

a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice

a people manacled by tyranny

Examples of hamper in a Sentence

Verb

The project was hampered by budget restraints.

Construction is hampering traffic on the highway.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Getting the longest of those delays can hamper any chance of beating Tyson in the first round. —Ars Technica, 9 Feb. 2025

Experts in workplace safety have warned that could inhibit them from speaking up about health threats on the job, hampering efforts to stop hazards and illnesses. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025

Noun

When dirty, odor-emitting clothes are left on the floor or in the hamper for days on end, their stink will spread throughout your closet. —Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025

Mainstays mesh pop-up hamper: $3.28 (Walmart) Whether mom’s still doing your laundry or you’re tasked with taking it to the laundry mat, a collapsible and portable laundry hamper like this one by Mainstays at Walmart is essential in a dorm room. —Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 22 Jan. 2025

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

• top-hamper

Kids Definition

hamper

1 of 2 verb

ham·​per ˈham-pər 

hampered; hampering -p(ə-)riŋ 

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of

bad weather hampered the search

hamper

2 of 2 noun

: a large basket usually with a cover

a clothes hamper