hamper
/ˈhæmpɚ/verb
To make it harder for someone or something to move, act, or make progress.
Example sentences
- “Heavy fog hampered the search for the missing hikers.”
- “A knee injury hampered his performance all season.”
- “Poor internet access hampers remote learning in rural areas.”
A slightly formal word common in news: bad weather hampered rescue efforts. The basket, as in a laundry hamper, is a separate word with the same spelling.