Cool MateHinder vs Sabotage
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hinder
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1verb
Sabotage
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Sabotage
| Hinder | Sabotage | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈhɪndər//🇺🇸 //ˈhɪndər// | 🇬🇧 //ˈsæbəˌtɑːʒ//🇺🇸 //ˈsæbəˌtɑːʒ// |
| Meaning | To make something difficult or slow down progress. | To deliberately damage or destroy something. |
| Example | The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely. | The workers decided to sabotage the machinery to protest against low wages. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hinder progress, hinder development, hinder efforts | sabotage efforts, sabotage plans, sabotage operations, sabotage attempts, sabotage strategies |
| Antonyms | assist, help, facilitate | support, assist, promote |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'prevent', which means to stop something completely., Using 'hinder' without an object, which makes it grammatically incorrect., Overusing in casual conversation; it's better suited for formal writing. | Confusing 'sabotage' with 'sabotage' as a noun and verb., Using it in contexts that imply accidental damage., Overusing 'sabotage' in casual speech. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe obstacles or setbacks. Avoid using for minor inconveniences. | Use 'sabotage' in contexts involving intentional harm to plans, objects, or processes. It's neutral and suitable in both formal and informal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hinder vs Sabotage
What's the difference between Hinder and Sabotage?
Hinder: To make something difficult or slow down progress. Sabotage: To deliberately damage or destroy something.
Which is more common: Hinder and Sabotage?
Sabotage is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hinder: The heavy rain will hinder our ability to drive safely. Sabotage: The workers decided to sabotage the machinery to protest against low wages.
Can I use Hinder and Sabotage interchangeably?
Not always. Hinder and Sabotage are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.