Hobble — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈhä-bəl/ hob·ble

Meaning & Definition of Hobble

Hobble (verb)

  1. to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially, to limp along
  2. to cause to limp, disable
  3. to fasten together the legs of (an animal, such as a horse) to prevent straying, fetter

Hobble (noun)

  1. a hobbling movement
  2. an awkward situation
  3. something used to hobble an animal

Hobble (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to create difficulty for the work or activity of

    "we were hobbled by the snowstorm from getting out to do some Christmas shopping"

    similar: clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, 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

  2. to walk while favoring one leg

    "I hobbled home with a twisted ankle"

    similar: halt, limp
    related: hitch, blunder, falter, flounder, lurch, shamble, shuffle, stagger, stumble, teeter, totter, waver, wobble, dodder
    opposite: stride
    near: breeze, glide, sail

Hobble (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in shackle(s), fetter

    similar: fetter, manacle, shackle(s), block, chain, clog, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, handicap, hindrance, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, obstacle, obstruction, roadblock, stop, stumbling block, trammel, constraint, curb, restraint, snag, bar, pale, paling, buffer, bulwark, bumper, cushion, dam, fender, pad, rampart, barricade, barrier, fence, hedge, wall
    opposite: door, doorway, entrance, entranceway, entry, entryway, gate, portal, break, gap, pass

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hobble

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hobble:

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel, halt, limp, cramp one's style, give a hard time, shackle(s), block, chain, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, encumbrance, hindrance, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hobble

Words with the opposite meaning of Hobble:

aid, assist, facilitate, help, stride, door, doorway, entrance, entranceway, entry, entryway, gate, portal, break, gap, pass

Related Words for Hobble

balk, check, constrain, rein, restrain, bind, halter, leash, tether, tie, arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard, blockade, bog (down), mire, choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate, baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart, derail, disrupt

Near Antonyms of Hobble

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop, free, liberate, release, untie, loosen, smooth, encourage, further, promote, breeze, glide, sail

Word Forms of Hobble

Inflections: hobbled, hobbling, hobbles

Derived words: hobbler (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hobble

Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Hobble

hobble skirt

Frequently Asked Questions about Hobble

What does "Hobble" mean?

"Hobble" means to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially, to limp along. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially, to limp along. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hobble"?

Other words for "Hobble" include clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff and handicap. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hobble" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hobble"?

There are 116 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hobble". Common alternatives include clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, hamper, handcuff, handicap, hinder and hog-tie.

What is the opposite of "Hobble"?

Antonyms of "Hobble" include aid, assist, facilitate, help, stride, door, doorway and entrance. Near antonyms include clear, make way, open and unclog.

How do you use "Hobble" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hobble" in a sentence: "we were hobbled by the snowstorm from getting out to do some Christmas shopping"; "I hobbled home with a twisted ankle".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Hobble"?

"Hobble" is pronounced /ˈhä-bəl/ and divided into syllables as hob·ble.

What is the origin of the word "Hobble"?

"Hobble" comes from Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll. First known use: 14th centuryi.