hamstrung 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hamstrungnext
1
as in unsuccessful
not producing the desired result several hamstrung attempts to reorganize the local parent-teacher association were made

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in paralyzed
unable to act or achieve one's purpose hamstrung by recent congressional limitations on executive power, the president can do little in this situation

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hamstrung

2 of 2

verb

past tense of hamstring
as in crippled
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrung
  1. unsuccessful
  2. paralyzed
  3. crippled
  4. inefficient
  5. helpless
  6. undermined
  7. counterproductive
  8. weak
Adjective
  • The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024
  • An attempt to steal an ATM inside the store was unsuccessful.
    Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of unsuccessful
Adjective
  • Despite the prime minister’s assurances, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a U.N. official said the government remains paralyzed.
    Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024
  • There was the woman who came to every meeting combative and quick-tempered (fight), the one who broke down in tears at every one-on-one and eventually took extended leave (flight), and the one who seemed paralyzed by the sheer volume of work (freeze).
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of paralyzed
Verb
  • And the man who broke the back of the Southern filibuster that crippled the Senate and by extension the US for nearly a century.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The company was also hurt by the pandemic when a helium shortage reportedly crippled its lucrative balloon business during a time that was already challenging for retail and party industries.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of crippled
Adjective
  • Create a Department of Government Efficiency Fund Regulatory bloat is not only costly for businesses but also for taxpayers who foot the bill for wasteful and inefficient agencies.
    James Broughel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • These reactions show generalized anger over the lack of control people have over their economic lives, exemplified specifically on how health care is provided and paid for in our nation and how that unjust and inefficient system has been allowed, if not openly fostered, by government policy.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Dec. 2024
Definition of inefficient
Adjective
  • Existing franchises that have successfully executed complex roster-building strategies hate seeing their hard work undone, helpless as key role players depart.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
  • With the Anschluss came atrocities, as Hitler’s boys had their way with the helpless.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 25 Nov. 2024
Definition of helpless
Verb
  • The ongoing saga with Harry Kane, who had spent the summer trying to engineer a move to Manchester City, further undermined him.
    Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Unfortunately, Southern Democrats lobbied hard in opposition, and, in a head-turning moment, certain civil rights leaders came out against it, worrying that the power of their communities would be undermined.
    Jerry Goldfeder, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024
Definition of undermined
Adjective
  • Divisive, counterproductive, and morale-destroying woke and DEI policies that have permeated the military have resulted in a cratering of recruitment.
    Michael Zais, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Nov. 2024
  • President Biden has faced scrutiny for his decision as several Democrats on Capitol Hill have condemned the move as counterproductive to their party’s efforts toward rebuilding public trust in American institutions derided by President-elect Trump.
    Juliann Ventura, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of counterproductive
Adjective
  • Area roads could become dangerously slick Monday morning as a weak system is expected to bring freezing rain overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
    Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Houston will be a weaker team in 2025, but one Brown still believes can capture an American League West championship.
    Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of weak
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near hamstrung

hamstrings

hamstrung

hand

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Cite this Entry

“Hamstrung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrung. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hamstrung

Nglish: Translation of hamstrung for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hamstrung for Arabic Speakers

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