What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hampered
Example
The team was hampered by the bad weather during the game. [hampered: verb]
Example
The athlete was hampered by an injury and couldn't perform at their best. [hampered: past participle]
hinder
Example
The construction work is hindering traffic on the main road. [hinder: verb]
Example
The lack of funding is hindering the progress of the research project. [hinder: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hinder is more commonly used than hampered in everyday language. Hinder is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while hampered is less common and refers to a specific type of limitation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hampered and hinder?
Both hampered and hinder can be used in formal or informal contexts, but hinder may be slightly more formal due to its stronger connotation.