hamstrung

USAGE SUMMARY

"hamstrung" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used as a verb to mean "to prevent from acting or progressing freely", or "to impede or incapacitate". For example, "The lack of resources hamstrung their efforts to finish the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sign up to the Society daily email briefing Drug companies "exploiting rules to make exorbitant profits from NHS" Government "reneges on midwives pledge" Ministers plan to give personal care budgets to 1m elderly people Industrial blackspots hamstrung by 18% unemployment, study finds Sharon Brennan: Is it a risk to hire me because of my disability?

The Guardian

In retrospect, I was hamstrung by three things.

The Guardian

While Paul Ryan seemed hamstrung by having to defend positions that he has only recently adopted, and came across as passionless and – remarkably – small-ball compared with the blue skies thinking that we told to expect, Biden went large on issues like Medicare.

The Guardian

Perhaps he was hamstrung by his hamstring, which Wenger said was cause for serious concern.

The Guardian - Sport

Most other regimes are either less sophisticated, or they are hamstrung by non-adjustable capital charges that are set at a minimum by law.Then there is the Brussels hurdle.

The Economist

Labour figures will quickly respond that they've been hamstrung by the Reagan-era assault on organised labour and the (not unrelated) decline of American manufacturing employment.

The Economist

And rather than welcoming the newcomers to a booming, confident club, the EU itself is in difficulties, with some of its biggest economies—hamstrung by monetary union and the stability pact struggling to grow themselves.

The Economist

Yet in domestic policy she is hamstrung by an unwieldy coalition and Germany's federal structure.The grand coalition of her Christian Democrats (CDU, plus Bavaria's CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), which took office in November 2005, may well limp on to the next election in 2009, but every day it seems to be hit by fresh internal ructions.

The Economist

He also has firm support from the Nats in his home province, centred on Johannesburg.Yet he is hamstrung by a constitutional clause that prevents members of Parliament from defecting to other parties; few will want to lose their jobs and salaries for a hazy, uncertain future under Mr Meyer.

The Economist

"Combined with the influence of brands and products such as Hollywood, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, jeans and Coca-Cola, American culture has permeated almost the entire world," he wrote.China is hamstrung by a contemporary culture that has little global appeal.

The Economist

Members of a new civilian-controlled police in Azaaz, a town near the border with Turkey which saw fierce fighting in the summer and has been run by a tough Islamist militia since then, proudly show off their new black and blue uniforms.The councils are hamstrung by lack of money and supplies and political bickering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hamstrung" to vividly describe situations where progress is severely limited or an entity's ability to act is significantly impaired. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the limitation.

Common error

Avoid using "hamstrung" in very casual conversation. While generally understood, it carries a somewhat formal tone and can sound out of place in informal settings. Opt for simpler words like "stuck" or "limited" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hamstrung" is as a past participle adjective. It describes something that has been restricted or incapacitated. Ludwig confirms that "hamstrung" is correct and usable. The examples in Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts to denote limitation or impediment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hamstrung" is a versatile term primarily functioning as an adjective to describe states of restriction or incapacitation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a slightly formal tone. While synonyms like "restricted" or "hindered" exist, "hamstrung" provides a specific nuance of severe limitation. When using it, ensure the context is appropriate and clearly identifies the cause of the restriction for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restricted

This word indicates limitation in freedom or movement, similar to being hamstrung.

hindered

This suggests an impediment or obstacle, reflecting the obstructive nature of being hamstrung.

incapacitated

This term implies a lack of capacity or ability, similar to the disabling effect of being hamstrung.

crippled

This denotes a severe limitation or disability, akin to the restricting nature of being hamstrung.

disabled

This term means being unable to function normally, reflecting the functional impairment implied by "hamstrung".

constrained

This term signifies being restricted or forced, reflecting limited freedom.

impeded

This term means being delayed or prevented from doing something, reflecting restricted progress.

held back

This implies restraint or prevention from advancing, similar to being hamstrung.

stymied

This signifies being thwarted or stumped, indicating an obstruction to progress.

paralyzed

This term means made powerless or ineffective, connoting an inability to act effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "hamstrung" in a sentence?

You can use "hamstrung" to describe a situation where something is limited or restricted. For example, "The project was "hamstrung" by a lack of funding."

What are some synonyms for "hamstrung"?

Synonyms for "hamstrung" include "restricted", "hindered", or "incapacitated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is "hamstrung"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to say someone is "hamstrung". It means they are limited in their ability to act or progress. For example, "The manager felt "hamstrung" by the company's policies."

What does it mean to be "hamstrung" by bureaucracy?

To be "hamstrung" by bureaucracy means that excessive rules, regulations, and paperwork are preventing efficient action or progress. The bureaucracy is acting as a significant impediment, making it difficult to achieve goals.