encumber

Verb

Verb Forms: encumbered, encumbering, encumbers

To restrict or burden someone or something.
hold back
To load down something with a burden.
To restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment.
To burden with a legal claim or other obligation.

Examples

His poor tile rack continued to encumber his ability to make high-scoring plays.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber. By surface analysis, en- + cumber.

Synonyms

constrain, cumber, restrain

Antonyms

disencumber, unencumber, unload

Scrabble Score: 14

encumber: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
encumber: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
encumber: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

encumber: valid Words With Friends Word