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Dictionary.com
Definitions

get in the way

VERB
hamper
Synonyms
STRONGEST
block curb frustrate hamstring hinder hobble hold up impede inconvenience inhibit obstruct prevent retard stymie thwart
STRONG
baffle balk bar bind check clog cramp cumber embarrass encumber entangle fetter foil hog-tie leash restrain shackle tie trammel
WEAK
cramp one's style drag one's feet hang up interfere with slow down tie one's hands tie up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist benefit encourage facilitate forward free further help let go permit promote push support
STRONG
abet explain liberate loose loosen open release unfasten untie
WEAK
expedite
VERB
handcuff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bind frustrate hamper hamstring
STRONG
baffle balk bar block chain check clog cramp cumber curb embarrass encumber entangle fetter foil hinder hobble hog-tie
WEAK
cramp one's style drag one's feet hang up hold up
Antonyms
STRONG
abet aid allow assist encourage explain free further help let go loosen open permit promote release unblock
VERB
hinder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
block burden crimp curb delay deter frustrate hamper hamstring hold up impede inhibit interfere interrupt obstruct preclude prevent prohibit retard slow down thwart
STRONG
arrest balk bar bottleneck check choke clog contravene counteract crab cramp debar encumber fetter hog-tie muzzle neutralize offset oppose resist snafu stay stop stymie terminate trammel
WEAK
box in hold back louse up shut out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist enable encourage expedite facilitate forward further help permit promote push support
STRONG
approve begin free go let go liberate loosen open release start unblock
VERB
hog-tie
Synonyms
STRONG
baffle balk bar bind block chain check clog cramp cumber curb embarrass encumber entangle fetter foil frustrate hamstring handcuff hinder hobble
WEAK
cramp one's style drag one's feet hang up hold up
Antonyms
STRONG
abet aid allow assist encourage explain facilitate free further help let go loose loosen open permit promote release support unblock unfasten
VERB
interfere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
hamper hinder impede inhibit intervene intrude meddle prevent
STRONG
baffle balk conflict discommode foil frustrate incommode inconvenience intercede interlope intermediate intermit interpose jam obstruct obtrude oppose remit stop suspend tamper thwart trammel trouble
WEAK
barge in busybody butt in fool with get involved hang up hold up horn in intermeddle mix in poke nose in step in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward help permit promote support
STRONG
abet benefit continue
VERB
interrupt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break break off cut off cut short delay discontinue disturb halt heckle hinder hold up impede prevent punctuate stop suspend
STRONG
arrest check crash cut defer disconnect disjoin disunite divide in infringe inject insinuate intrude obstruct separate sever shortstop stay
WEAK
barge in break in break train of thought bust in butt in chime in come between crowd in cut in on edge in horn in lay aside put in work in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist begin carry on cause continue encourage facilitate forward further give go help join mend permit promote push start support
STRONG
attach combine connect couple expedite leave leave alone link unite
VERB
obstruct
Synonyms
STRONGEST
block curb cut off hamper hinder impede inhibit interfere obscure retard stall stonewall stymie thwart
STRONG
arrest bar barricade check choke clog close congest crab fill frustrate hamstring hide interrupt mask occlude plug restrain sandbag shield stop stopper terminate throttle trammel
WEAK
dead-end drag one's feet foul up hang up hold up monkey with shut off slow down weigh down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance aid allow assist encourage facilitate forward further help permit promote push
STRONG
begin continue free lay bare let go liberate open release reveal start support unblock uncover unmask unplug unstop
WEAK
abet boost clear

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I’m not going to ask. I don’t want people to get in the way of my plans.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

He said it would be "wrong if something were to get in the way" of the police investigation, but "a lot of material" could be published immediately.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

Indeed, depth would only get in the way of the plot, which is primarily concerned with fooling you and fooling you again.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

That’s a skill that can serve you well when you’re writing longer-form prose, or it can get in the way.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

“Sort of. I don’t want to get in the way, though.”

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman