What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cumber
Example
The heavy backpack was a cumber on the long hike. [cumber: noun]
Example
The outdated equipment cumbered the production process. [cumbered: verb]
hamper
Example
The traffic jam hampered our arrival at the airport. [hampered: verb]
Example
The injured player's mobility was hampered by the cast. [hamper: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hamper is more commonly used than cumber in everyday language, with a broader range of contexts and a more formal tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cumber and hamper?
Hamper is more commonly used in formal writing and speech than cumber, making it a more formal synonym.
