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Thesaurus: encumber

To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless lea…

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  1. v. t. To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning.
  2. v. t. To load with debts, or other legal claims; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages.
  3. v. restrict (someone or something) so as to make free movement difficult
  4. 1. To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning. Not encumbered with any notable inconvenience. Hooker. 2. To load with debts, or other legal claims; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages. Syn. -- To load; clog; oppress; overload; embarrass; perplex; hinder; retard; obstruct; check; block.