Hinderance Vs Hindrance, How Are These Words Related?

Maybe you stumbled across the internet with spelling variations of the word “hindrance” as in “hinderance.” Even though there is not enough information explaining how these two terms emerged, we are clear about how they are related to one another.

Hindrance and Hinderance mean the same thing. They both refer to the act of hindering, preventing, or impediment of something. The only difference is the distinctive spelling, but other than that, they are closely related in terms of identifying any obstruction or interference.

However, how are they connected, and which one is best to use?

This article will focus on explaining and defining each term, how to use them appropriately, along with examples used in sentences, synonyms and antonyms, and the origin of the words.

Definitions of the terms

The term “hindrance” means the state of being hindered, interfered with, delayed, or slowed down. It is also an act of prevention, obstruction, or impediment that makes it difficult to do something. Often people use this word to describe an obstacle or, perhaps, a person that makes a situation more challenging or troublesome than it should be.

It can be divided into two primary definitions:

1. Countable noun: a person or thing that makes a situation more challenging for you to do something.
2. Uncountable noun: the act of hindering or burdensome.

In contrast, the word “hinderance” is simply a variant form or alternative way of saying “hindrance.” It is technically considered synonyms, and the definition is precisely similar since it refers to burdensome or delays in action, progress, etc. However, since it is rare to find this term being used in modern times, it also does not appear on the dictionaries because it is outdated or old-fashioned.

In addition to this, it is also considered an archaic form of the word “hindrance,” and another obsolete variant can emerge, like “hindraunce,” which is no longer used and less common.

Similarities Between Them

As stated earlier, these two terms are connected and have a standard or primary topic which is blockage or obstacles. Both can be used to describe something that gets or stands in the way and that needs to be removed or solved. For example, it may be a person, object, or situation out of your control. It is an impediment, or burdensome and both resemble this definition.

Most Common Spelling and Usage

However, the most popular and habitual spelling of the word is “hindrance.” According to Collins Dictionary, this term has been used since 1708 all the way to present times with a frequency of 0.88 percentage. It is often used as a way to express opposition or impediment towards something.

Here is a brief chart explaining the most common misspellings of the word:

Hindrance (0.7%)	Hinderence (23.4%)
Hindrances (0.3)%	Hindrence (5.3%)
Hindrance (0.7%)	Hiunderance (0.7%)
Hindurance (0.7%)	Hinderance – archaic (68.2%)

Examples With Sentences

Now that we have looked at the definitions of the terms and fully comprehend their meaning along with the usage and its similarities, we can now dive into examples with sentences.

Here is a list of sentences with the word “Hindrance.”

1. Most of the time, my youngest brother is a distraction and a hindrance when I am doing my school work.
2. The economic decline in the last decade became a hindrance to the country’s development and growth in competitive markets.
3. Her daughter’s fever was a hindrance to her participation in the school’s field trip, so she had to miss it.
4. After Shannon’s car accident, her medical condition was not a hindrance to her success as a formula one driver.
5. The lack of money was the most significant hindrance the company faced when opening its doors to the public. However, they overcame this thanks to the extraordinary income from sales.
6. Because her passion is reading and writing, her poor eyesight is a substantial hindrance.
7. It is challenging to stay productive if you have a co-worker being more of a hindrance rather than letting you do your work.
8. Even though his lack of communication skills is a hindrance to his work, he enrolled in various online courses in order to improve and get better at it.
9. The recent floods have become a significant hindrance to help with opening businesses again.
10. Tourists are allowed to venture and explore without hindrance, which gives them the freedom to enjoy their time.
11. The last thing she needs right now is any sort of hindrance that will prevent her from focusing on work.
12. He can become a hindrance by being too overbearing instead of being resourceful.
13. The major discussion in the class became a hindrance to the student’s productivity.
14. Lack of motivation might result in being a hindrance to succeeding and achieving your objectives or goals.
15. The upcoming snowstorm is a hindrance to their Christmas vacation plans, and as a result, they will need to reschedule their flight for another date.
16. The witness’s hindrance to the police investigation was not tolerated and only caused the interrogation process to become longer.
17. Japanese people can travel to various countries without hindrance since their passport allows them to visit over 191 territories.
18. Starting a family would be a hindrance for her because she wants to focus on getting recognition within her career field and travel the world.
19. His suppositions and lack of communication were a hindrance to the growth of his romantic relationship.
20. Withdrawing the money from the bank account on holiday was a hindrance.

Now, here are some sentences examples with the word “hinderance.“

1. The storm was a hinderance for her vacation plans and resulted in a cancellation.
2. The fall of gold prices in the 1800s was a hinderance for the mining companies that started to make a living out of it.
3. Lack of education is a form of hinderance towards a country’s development and growth.
4. Riots continued for various days without hinderance from the police department and authorities.
5. Her vivid imagination is not a hinderance to exploring new ideas that are not tangible since it is quite the opposite. It is easy for her to imagine and visualize things.
6. The inflation of essential daily products became a hinderance to the government’s economy and could no longer be accessible to everyone.
7. Sometimes the lack of monetary resources can be a hinderance to getting things done.
8. His constant procrastination is a hinderance to his job and will result in him possibly being fired from his position.
9. Despite her minor accident with the dress, it was not a hinderance to her stellar performance.
10. Activists faced a hinderance from the opposite side, causing the police to intervene in this situation.

Synonyms of Hindrance

Here is a brief list of synonyms of the term hindrance:

• Impediment, obstacle, barrier, bar, obstruction, handicap, block, check, curb, restriction, restraint, limitation, encumbrance, hurdle, brake, deterrent, interference, interruption, obstacle, snag, intervention, stop, stumbling block, holdback, delay, cramp, drag, embarrassment, chain, clog, inhibition, and fetter.

Antonyms of Hindrance

Here is a brief list of antonyms of the term hindrance:

• Catalyst, goad, incentive, spur, stimulant, break, edge, advantage, aid, assistance, boost, impetus, stimulus, help, freedom, liberation, opening, release, advance, expedition, encouragement, promotion, push, support, service, reinforcement, benefaction, abetting, abetment, relief, cooperation, facilitation, collaboration, contribution, easement, helping hand, boon, furtherance, and solution.

The Etymology of the Term

The word “hinderance” originated around the mid-fifteenth century, recorded in 1400-50 to be exact. The base term comes from the Old English “hindrian,” defined as “to hold back, delay or impede.” It emerged as a hybrid form of “hindren” from French-derived words with -ance, which means “a process or action.” In addition to this, it also emerged from the late Middle English word “hinderaunce.”

Conclusion

After exploring the various similarities between “hinderance” and “hindrance,” it can be concluded that both terms are related to each other and share the same or main topic, which is something being an obstacle or impediment of someone’s progress. It can also be defined as the action of hindering or causing something to stop.