hindrance
gb/hˈɪndɹəns/ us/hˈɪndɹəns/
B2
English
akadály, akadályozás, hátráltatás
NOUN
B2
1
akadály
B1
Usage pattern:
a hindrance to [someone/something]
Lack of childcare is a major hindrance for many working parents.
A gyermekfelügyelet hiánya komoly akadály sok dolgozó szülő számára.
His injury was a hindrance to training, so he adjusted his schedule.
A sérülése akadályozta az edzést, ezért módosította a beosztását.
The extra paperwork became a hindrance rather than a safeguard.
Learner examples
Bad weather was a hindrance to our trip.
A rossz idő akadályozta az utazásunkat.
Noise can be a hindrance to studying.
A zaj akadályozhatja a tanulást.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with the verb hindering; a hindrance is the thing/problem, not the action.
Meaning
something that makes progress difficult
Collocations
major hindrance
|serious hindrance
|significant hindrance
|a hindrance to progress
|a hindrance to learning
|a hindrance to success
|remove a hindrance
|overcome a hindrance
|pose a hindrance
|without hindrance
Synonyms
obstacle (More general and very common; can be physical or abstract.)
|
barrier (Often suggests something that blocks access or movement.)
|
impediment (More formal; often used for limitations that slow progress.)
Antonyms
help (Something that makes an action easier rather than harder.)
|
advantage (A beneficial factor that supports success or progress.)
Themes
daily_life
|work
|education
|problems_solutions
Definition
A hindrance is something that makes it harder to do something.
Something that slows down, limits, or prevents someone or something from doing what they want or need to do.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
akadályozás
C1
hátráltatás
C1
Usage pattern:
hindrance of [something]
The report criticized the hindrance of rescue efforts by poor communication.
A jelentés bírálta, hogy a rossz kommunikáció akadályozta a mentési munkálatokat.
Any hindrance of the investigation could lead to disciplinary action.
A nyomozás bármilyen akadályozása fegyelmi eljárást vonhat maga után.
They demanded safe passage without hindrance or delay.
Learner examples
The team asked for no hindrance during the search.
A csapat azt kérte, hogy a keresés közben senki ne akadályozza őket.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than “an obstacle”; in everyday speech, people often use “interference” or the verb “hinder.”
Meaning
the act of stopping or slowing
Collocations
intentional hindrance
|undue hindrance
|hindrance of justice
|hindrance of an investigation
|hindrance of progress
|hindrance by [someone]
Synonyms
interference (Emphasizes actively getting in the way.)
|
obstruction (Often suggests deliberate blocking; common in legal contexts.)
Antonyms
assistance (Active help rather than active blocking.)
|
facilitation (Making a process easier or smoother.)
Themes
law
|public_services
|conflict
Definition
Hindrance can also mean the action of stopping something from happening easily.
The act or process of making it difficult for someone or something to do something; interference that slows progress.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hindrance
IPA
GB/hˈɪndɹəns/
US/hˈɪndɹəns/
Syllables & stress
hindrance (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hindrance)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hindrance
- Plural: hindrance, hindrances
Word family
Expressions
be a hindrance to
1/bˈi ə hˈɪndɹəns tə/
fixed phrase
make something harder to do
If something is a hindrance to you, it makes your goal harder.
Examples
- Poor internet access is a hindrance to online learning.
- Trying to do everything alone can be a hindrance to good teamwork.
Learner examples
- Stress is a hindrance to sleep.
to the hindrance of
1/tə ðə hˈɪndɹəns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
in a way that obstructs
It means “and this makes it harder for something else.”
Examples
- Funds were redirected to other projects, to the hindrance of local services.
- The constant interruptions continued, to the hindrance of serious discussion.
without hindrance
1/wɪðˈaʊt hˈɪndɹəns/
fixed phrase
freely; not being stopped
If you do something without hindrance, nothing stops you.
Examples
- Once the road reopened, traffic flowed without hindrance.
- The new policy allows researchers to share data without hindrance.
Learner examples
- I can work without hindrance at the library.
without let or hindrance
1/wɪðˈaʊt lˈɛt ˈɔɹ hˈɪndɹəns/
fixed phrase
legal
without any interference
A very formal way to say “without being stopped.”
Examples
- The agreement states that ships may pass without let or hindrance.
- The order required officials to provide access without let or hindrance.