Synonyms for hobble

Most common

embarrass · hinder · hamper · limp · shackle · hopple

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

Noun

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.

   Near-synonyms: shackle, enshackle

2. v. 2

   To disable; to impede.

   Near-synonyms: nobble, hamper, hinder, embarrass

3. v. 3

   To walk lame, or unevenly.

4. n. 1

   One of the short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off.

Related words

Phrases

hobble knot

Forms

Plural

hobbles → fetters, tethers, embarrassments, pickles…

Past participle

hobbled
e.g. hobbled → hindered, hampered, embarrassed, impeded…

Example sentences

• embarrass I doubt very seriously that that'll embarrass Tom.
• hinder If you cannot help us, don't at least hinder us.
• hamper Put your dirty laundry in the hamper, not on the floor.
• limp There were bad rumors about James because of his limp.
• shackle Let's shackle your feet with silver fetters.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

hop¹

4 letters

halt¹, limp¹, clog¹, gimp

5 letters

hitch¹

6 letters

strait¹, hinder², pickle², hamper², impede², tether², fetter², nobble, hopple², hirple

7 letters

shackle², shamble²

9 letters

embarrass³, enshackle

13 letters

embarrassment⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (hinder² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français

boiter

Italiano

zoppicare

Español

cojear

Deutsch

hinken

Català

coixejar