noun
hindrance
HIN-druns/ˈhɪndrəns/
Something that delays or makes progress difficult.
The fallen tree is a hindrance to the hiker.
Etymology
Hindren supplies the idea of keeping progress back, while -ance turns the action into a noun. A hindrance is something that produces this blocking or delaying effect.
In context
the despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement being in unceasing antagonism to that disposition to aim at something better than customary
More examples
- Poor communication became a hindrance to progress.
- She completed the task without hindrance.
- The extra rule created another hindrance.
Forms
hindrance · hindrances
hinder verb — make progress difficult
Similar words
- obstacle
- An obstacle blocks a route or goal; a hindrance can merely slow or complicate progress.
- impediment
- Impediment is a close equivalent for something that makes progress difficult.