as in paralyzes
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the downtown development committee claims that it's hamstrung by city ordinances protecting historic buildings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrings
Verb
-
For example, the curare plant poisons used by South and Central American hunters paralyzes the respiratory system.—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
-
Turning his challenge into a mission and helping others overcome what paralyzes them.—
Verb
-
These pressures could produce a tsunami that fractures the state’s fiscal foundation, self-inflicts a crisis ultimately demanding drastic cuts, and cripples its competitiveness.—
-
Scarface and friends attack the lab, and break out the kryptonite that cripples El and Kali.—
Verb
-
Every photo-op in Washington, every meeting with Israeli officials, every call for international intervention reinforces the regime’s narrative and undermines the legitimacy of the protests.—
-
Nothing undermines success like a lack of stability, and of course, a lacking quarterback.—
Verb
-
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
-
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Verb
-
Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.—
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Hamstrings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrings. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share