as in paralyzes
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the downtown development committee claims that it's hamstrung by city ordinances protecting historic buildings
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hamstrings
Verb
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Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering.
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These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.
Verb
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Federal illegality further cripples operations with banking and tax burdens.
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In the final version of the film, Furiosa captures Dementus, cripples him, brings him back to the Citadel.
Verb
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That pressure erodes well-being, undermines family life, and disproportionately impacts working parents and caregivers.
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It is believed internally that the organization’s independence has been dramatically compromised because she is also perceived as an opinion journalist with political ties to the current administration, which further undermines her credibility.
Verb
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When foreign investors pull money out of the country, demand for the rupiah drops, and the currency weakens.
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Every interaction either builds confidence or weakens it.
Verb
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The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm incapacitates him.
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Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.
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“Hamstrings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hamstrings. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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