Definitions
- Describing an action that slows down or limits progress or movement. - Referring to something that hinders or impedes the completion of a task or goal. - Talking about an obstacle that makes it difficult to achieve a desired outcome.
- Referring to an action that blocks or prevents progress or movement. - Describing something that gets in the way of completing a task or goal. - Talking about an obstacle that makes it impossible to achieve a desired outcome.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe an action that prevents or slows down progress.
- 2Both words can refer to physical or non-physical obstacles.
- 3Both words imply a negative impact on achieving a goal or completing a task.
What is the difference?
- 1Action: Hampering implies slowing down or limiting progress, while obstructing implies completely blocking or preventing progress.
- 2Intensity: Obstructing is a stronger word than hampering, indicating a more severe obstacle.
- 3Focus: Hampering emphasizes the effect on progress or movement, while obstructing emphasizes the barrier itself.
- 4Usage: Hampering is more commonly used in everyday language, while obstructing is more formal and often used in legal or technical contexts.
- 5Connotation: Hampering can have a neutral connotation, while obstructing can have a negative connotation, implying intentional interference or obstruction.
Remember this!
Hampering and obstructing are synonyms that describe actions that prevent or slow down progress. However, hampering implies a limitation or hindrance, while obstructing implies a complete blockage or prevention. Hampering is more commonly used in everyday language, while obstructing is more formal and often used in legal or technical contexts.