hamstring

verb

1 the enemy was trying to hamstring his horse:

cripple, lame, hock, disable, handicap, injure.

2 we were hamstrung by a total lack of knowledge:

handicap, constrain, restrict, cripple, shackle, fetter, encumber, block, frustrate, cramp, bridle;

hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, inhibit, retard, balk, thwart, foil, curb, delay, set back, slow down, hold back, hold up;

restrain, check, curtail;

informal stymie;

North American, informal bork;

literary trammel;

rare cumber.

▷antonyms help.