Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress.

synonyms: balk, baulk, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, impediment.

Roget 761: prohibition, inhibition; veto, disallowance; interdict, interdiction; injunction, estoppel [Law]; embargo, ban, taboo, proscription; index expurgatorius [Lat.]; restriction etc. (restraint) 751; hindrance etc. 706; forbidden fruit; Maine law [U.S.].    ... show more

Roget 708: opposition, antagonism; oppugnancy^†, oppugnation^†; impugnation^†; contrariety; contravention; counteraction etc. 179; counterplot.    cross fire, undercurrent, head wind.    clashing, collision, conflict.    competition, two of a trade, rivalry, emulation, race.    absence of aid etc. 708; resistance etc. 719; restraint etc. 751; hindrance etc. 706.    ... show more

Roget 751: restraint; hindrance etc. 706; coercion etc. (compulsion) 744; cohibition^†, constraint, repression, suppression; discipline, control.    confinement; durance, duress; imprisonment; incarceration, coarctation^†, entombment, mancipation^†, durance vile, limbo, captivity; blockade.    arrest, arrestation^†; custody, keep, care, charge, ward, restringency^†.    curb etc. (means of restraint) 752; lettres de cachet [Fr.].    limitation, restriction, protection, monopoly; prohibition etc. 761.    prisoner etc. 754; repressionist^†.    ... show more

Dutch: barrière, belemmering, beletsel, drempel, handicap, hindernis, hinderpaal, hobbel, obstakel, rem, struikelblok, struikelsteen, verhindering ... show more
Polish: zawada, piąte koło u wozu, kamień u szyi, kula u nogi, ciężar

Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome.

synonyms: encumbrance, hinderance, hitch, incumbrance, interference, preventative, preventive.

Roget 706: prevention, preclusion, obstruction, stoppage; embolus, embolism [Med.]; infarct [Med.]; interruption, interception, interclusion^†; hindrance, impedition^†; retardment^†, retardation; embarrassment, oppilation^†; coarctation^†, stricture, restriction; restraint etc. 751; inhibition etc. 761; blockade etc. (closure) 261.    interference, interposition; obtrusion; discouragement, discountenance.    impediment, let, obstacle, obstruction, knot, knag^†; check, hitch, contretemps, screw loose, grit in the oil.    bar, stile, barrier; [barrier to vehicles] turnstile, turnpike; gate, portcullis.    beaver dam; trocha^†; barricade etc. (defense) 717; wall, dead wall, sea wall, levee breakwater, groyne^†; bulkhead, block, buffer; stopper etc. 263; boom, dam, weir, burrock^†.    drawback, objection; stumbling-block, stumbling-stone; lion in the path, snag; snags and sawyers.    encumbrance, incumbrance^†; clog, skid, shoe, spoke; drag, drag chain, drag weight; stay, stop; preventive, prophylactic; load, burden, fardel^†, onus, millstone round one's neck, impedimenta; dead weight; lumber, pack; nightmare, Ephialtes^†, incubus, old man of the sea; remora.    difficulty etc. 704; insuperable etc. 471; obstacle; estoppel [Law]; ill wind; head wind etc. (opposition) 708; trammel, tether etc. (means of restraint) 752; hold back, counterpoise.    [person who hinders] damper, wet blanket, hinderer, marplot, killjoy; party pooper [Coll.]; party crasher, interloper.    trail of a red herring; opponent etc. 710.    ... show more

The act of hindering or obstructing or impeding.

synonyms: hinderance, interference.

Polish: utrudnianie