encumber

/ɪnˈkʌmbə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈkʌmbər/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈkəm-bər/ (ame, mw)

encumber — verb

  • encumberpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • encumbershe / she / it
  • encumberedpast simple
  • encumbering-ing form

1. to load someone or something with weight, debt, paperwork, or another burden tha

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to load someone or something with weight, debt, paperwork, or another burden that makes movement or progress harder

例句

Wet boots encumbered the rescue team during the climb up the ridge.

encumber + person with a physical burden

New tax rules encumbered Salma's shop with extra paperwork every week.

encumber + noun + with + burden

同義詞
  • burden

    the closest synonym; often stresses the weight of a duty, debt, or problem

  • hamper

    more common for practical difficulties that slow progress

  • hinder

    broader and more common; it can slow progress without suggesting extra weight

反義詞
  • ease

    to make movement or progress less difficult

  • free

    to remove what is holding someone or something back

  • lighten

    to reduce the weight or pressure of a load

文法句型

encumber + noun

encumber + noun + with + burden

be encumbered by + burden

用法筆記

Formal and less common in everyday speech. It often suggests an added load or complication, whether physical or figurative, and commonly appears with a with-phrase or in the passive after by.

常見錯誤

❌The wet coat encumbered on Luca all afternoon.
✅The wet coat encumbered Luca all afternoon.
💡Use 'encumber' directly with the person or thing affected, not 'encumber on'.
❌Extra forms encumbered to finish the work.
✅Extra forms encumbered the staff and slowed the work.
💡'Encumber' needs the burdened person, group, or thing as its object.