Clog — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkläg/

Meaning & Definition of Clog

Clog (noun)

  1. a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion
  2. something that restrains or impedes, encumbrance
  3. a mass of material that blocks movement through a pipe or vessel

Clog (verb)

  1. to impede with a clog, hinder
  2. to halt or slow the progress, operation, or growth of, encumber
  3. to fill beyond capacity, overload —often used with up

Clog (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that makes movement or progress difficult

    "she's not one to let moral principle be a clog upon her conscience"

    similar: balk, bar, block, chain, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel
    related: catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef, adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship
    near: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, help

Clog (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to prevent passage through by filling with something

    "the discovery that a ton of hair was clogging the drain in the tub"

    similar: block, choke, clot, congest, dam, gum (up), jam, obstruct, occlude, plug (up), stop (up), stuff
    related: bung, cork, spile, stopper, stopple, fill, gridlock, pack, fur, silt, flood, glut, inundate, overwhelm, swamp
    opposite: clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop
    near: excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), empty, lighten

  2. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "a court system clogged by frivolous suits"

    similar: cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel, cramp one's style, give a hard time
    related: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain, bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, barricade, block, blockade, roadblock, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt, sabotage, muzzle, repress, suppress, confine, hedge (in), hem (in)
    opposite: aid, assist, facilitate, help
    near: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Related Entry: Clog (up) (verb)

Clog (up) is a different word from Clog. The synonyms below are for clog (up), not for clog.

  1. as in stop, close

    similar: block, close, dam (up), plug (up), stop, constrict, encumber, hamper, hinder, impede, interfere (with), obstruct, trammel, barricade, blockade
    opposite: clear, free, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, ease, facilitate, loosen (up), smooth

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clog

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clog:

balk, bar, block, chain, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammel, choke, clot, congest, dam, gum (up), jam, obstruct, occlude, plug (up), stop (up), stuff, embarrass, encumber, hamper

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Clog

Words with the opposite meaning of Clog:

clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop, aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words for Clog

catch, hitch, rub, snag, barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall, arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, rein, restraint, embargo, stoppage, delay, holdup, stall, burden, cumber, load, danger, hazard, peril, reef, adversity

Near Antonyms of Clog

catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus, advantage, break, edge, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden, excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), empty, lighten, make way, open, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote

Word Forms of Clog

Inflections: clogged, clogging, clogs

Derived words: clogger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Clog

Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Clog

clog dance

Frequently Asked Questions about Clog

What does "Clog" mean?

"Clog" means a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clog"?

Other words for "Clog" include balk, bar, block, chain, cramp, crimp, deterrent and drag. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clog" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clog"?

There are 135 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clog". Common alternatives include balk, bar, block, chain, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment and encumbrance.

What is the opposite of "Clog"?

Antonyms of "Clog" include clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop and aid. Near antonyms include catalyst, goad, impetus and incentive.

How do you use "Clog" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clog" in a sentence: "she's not one to let moral principle be a clog upon her conscience"; "the discovery that a ton of hair was clogging the drain in the tub"; "a court system clogged by frivolous suits".

Is "Clog" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clog" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Clog"?

"Clog" is pronounced /ˈkläg/.

What is the origin of the word "Clog"?

"Clog" comes from Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood. First known use: 14th century.