ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Encumber

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ɪnˈkʌmbə(ɹ)/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Encumber is a verb meaning (transitive) To load down something with a burden.

Meaning

(transitive) To load down something with a burden.

More Meanings

  1. (transitive) To restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment.
  2. (transitive) To burden with a legal claim or other obligation.

Example Sentences

He [Timothy Forsyte] had never committed the imprudence of marrying or encumbering himself in any way with children.
In the reverse direction, creature comforts were not closely studied, and the vessel left Antwerp at 1 p.m., to arrive in Harwich at the awkward hour of 2 a.m. The boat train was waiting for the weary stream of passengers, who straggled up George Street, encumbered with luggage, or following burdened porters in the darkness.

Word Forms

Synonyms for encumber

Depending on context, synonyms include constrain, restrain, cumber.

Antonyms for encumber

Common opposites include disencumber, unload, unencumber.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include cumber, restrain, constrain, hinder, overburden, overload.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.