What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cumbered
Example
The hiker was cumbered by his heavy backpack. [cumbered: verb]
Example
The company was cumbered by bureaucracy and red tape. [cumbered: adjective]
encumbered
Example
The athlete was encumbered by his injured leg. [encumbered: verb]
Example
The business was encumbered by debt and financial liabilities. [encumbered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Encumbered is more commonly used than cumbered in formal writing or legal contexts. However, both words are less commonly used in everyday language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between cumbered and encumbered?
Both cumbered and encumbered are more formal words and are not commonly used in informal contexts. However, encumbered is more commonly used in legal or financial contexts, making it slightly more formal than cumbered.
