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.

See Examples For:

get in the way

Don’t let things like rules and decorum get in the way of what’s in it for him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

But new research suggests they may struggle with something humans do every day: staying focused on the task at hand when distractions get in the way.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026

“We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that lead,” Trump told reporters.

From Barron's ● May 21, 2026

Gas prices could get in the way, though.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

“Don’t they know we have a contract to compete for? And they’re going to let a little snow get in the way? They must not want to work for me much longer,” he said.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

get in the way

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words