Hindrance

hindrance
    n 1: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action
         or progress [syn: {hindrance}, {hinderance}, {deterrent},
         {impediment}, {balk}, {baulk}, {check}, {handicap}]
    2: any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome [syn:
       {hindrance}, {hinderance}, {hitch}, {preventive},
       {preventative}, {encumbrance}, {incumbrance}, {interference}]
    3: the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding [syn:
       {hindrance}, {hinderance}, {interference}]
    

Hindrance \Hin"drance\, n. [See {Hinder}, v. t.]
   1. The act of hindering, or the state of being hindered.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. That which hinders; an impediment.
      [1913 Webster]

            What various hindrances we meet.      --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

            Something between a hindrance and a help.
                                                  --Wordsworth.

   Syn: Impediment; obstruction; obstacle; difficulty;
        interruption; check; delay; restraint.
        [1913 Webster]
    

83 Moby Thesaurus words for "hindrance":
      afterthought, arrest, arrestation, barrier, bind, block, blockage,
      bureaucratic delay, check, clog, constraint, control, cooling,
      cooling down, cooling off, cumbrance, curb, curtailment,
      deceleration, delay, delayage, delayed reaction, detention,
      deterrent, double take, dragging, drawback, encumbrance, halt,
      hang-up, hitch, holdup, impedance, impediment, inhibition,
      injunction, interdict, interim, jam, lag, lagging, legal restraint,
      limitation, logjam, monopoly, moratorium, obstacle, obstruction,
      paperasserie, pause, prevention, prohibition, protection,
      protectionism, protective tariff, rationing, red tape, red-tapeism,
      red-tapery, rein, reprieve, respite, restraint, restraint of trade,
      retardance, retardation, retrenchment, self-control, slow-up,
      slowdown, slowing down, slowness, snag, stay, stay of execution,
      stop, stoppage, suspension, tariff wall, thought control, tie-up,
      time lag, wait