hindrance
gb/hˈɪndɹəns/ us/hˈɪndɹəns/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
something that makes progress difficult
A hindrance is something that makes it harder to do something.
Usage pattern:
a hindrance to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with the verb hindering; a hindrance is the thing/problem, not the action.
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.)
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
Themes
daily_life
|work
|education
|problems_solutions
Examples
- Lack of childcare is a major hindrance for many working parents.
- His injury was a hindrance to training, so he adjusted his schedule.
- The extra paperwork became a hindrance rather than a safeguard.
Learner examples
- Bad weather was a hindrance to our trip.
- Noise can be a hindrance to studying.
Noun
formal
C1
process
2
the act of stopping or slowing
Hindrance can also mean the action of stopping something from happening easily.
Usage pattern:
hindrance of [something]
Common mistake:
This sense is less common than “an obstacle”; in everyday speech, people often use “interference” or the verb “hinder.”
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.)
Collocations
intentional hindrance
|undue hindrance
|hindrance of justice
|hindrance of an investigation
|hindrance of progress
|hindrance by [someone]
Themes
law
|public_services
|conflict
Examples
- The report criticized the hindrance of rescue efforts by poor communication.
- Any hindrance of the investigation could lead to disciplinary action.
- They demanded safe passage without hindrance or delay.
Learner examples
- The team asked for no hindrance during the search.
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.
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.
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.