Explanation:

- Hinder means to create difficulties or obstacles, preventing progress.

- Option 1: Encourage

- Encourage means to give support or confidence, facilitating progress.

- This is the correct antonym because encourage pushes forward rather than holding back.

- Option 2: Comfortable

- Comfortable describes a state of physical or mental ease.

- Not directly relevant as an antonym for hinder.

- Option 3: Thwart

- Thwart means to prevent someone from accomplishing something.

- This word is similar to hinder, not an antonym.

- Option 4: Impede

- Impede means to obstruct or delay progress.

- Similar meaning to hinder, not an antonym.