hinder

Hinder is a verb meaning to create difficulties or delay, or to impede or hamper progress or achievement. It is typically transitive, used with an object such as progress, efforts, or a task (for example, “The weather hindered rescue efforts” or “Bureaucratic procedures hinder innovation”). It can also be followed by a clause to indicate preventing someone from doing something (for example, “The guard hindered them from leaving”).

Etymology and related forms: Hinder derives from Old English hinderian, meaning to place in the way or to obstruct. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as German hindern and Dutch hinderen, and is connected to the noun hindrance, which denotes an obstacle or impediment.

Usage notes: In nuance, hinder often suggests partial obstruction that slows progress rather than completely stopping it, whereas impede and obstruct can imply more active or complete blockage. Preventing an outcome is typically expressed with prevent rather than hinder, though contexts vary and hinder can be used to emphasize consequences that slow rather than stop a result.

Other uses: Hinder is also a surname and the name of an American rock band formed in 2001 in Oklahoma. The band Hinder is known for songs such as Lips of an Angel, illustrating the word’s appearance as a proper noun separate from its verb meaning.

See also: hindrance, obstacle, impede, obstruct.