English Reference

Word

hampered

Phoneticsham·pered

US/ˈhæmpɝd/

UK/hˈæmpəd/

Definition

adj. prevented from moving or making progress easily. You use this when something like bad weather or a lack of money makes a task much harder.

adj. hindered or impeded in movement or progress. Often used predicatively after a linking verb or as a participial modifier to describe restricted conditions.

Examples

“Our progress is hampered by the heavy rain.”

“The rescue efforts were severely hampered by the thick fog and the mountainous terrain.”

“The company's expansion into international markets was hampered by a combination of strict local regulations and a sudden downturn in the global economy.”

Examples

simple

“Our progress is hampered by the heavy rain.”

contextual

“The rescue efforts were severely hampered by the thick fog and the mountainous terrain.”

complex

“The company's expansion into international markets was hampered by a combination of strict local regulations and a sudden downturn in the global economy.”

Usage

Often appears in the passive voice or following linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'remain'.

Real-World Examples

“Heavy rain has hampered relief efforts in Nepal where thousands remain missing after flash floods hit its border with Tibet.”
BBC News · 30 Aug 2026
“Rescue efforts were also hampered by heavy monsoon rains.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/hampered

English Reference