IMPEDE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impede' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block , hinder , and obstruct . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

Q: When could 'block' be used to replace 'impede'?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hinder' instead of 'impede'?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

Q: In what contexts can 'obstruct' take the place of 'impede'?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. However, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way. // the view was obstructed by billboards

impede

verb

im-ˈpēd

Definition of impede next

as in to hinder

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the construction work impeded the smooth running of the office for several months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block, hinder, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When could block be used to replace impede?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is it sensible to use hinder instead of impede?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can obstruct take the place of impede?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. However, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impede Workers are running on empty The Center for Organizational Effectiveness study identified the top three concerns impeding psychological safety in workplaces around the world. —

Bob Batchelor, The Conversation, 17 June 2026 The homebuilders association partly blamed the drop in the overall index on rising materials prices, financing costs and regulations that are impeding home construction. —

Bloomberg, Oc Register, 16 June 2026 Scott Pelath, executive director of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, was headed to the rivers to check for debris in the channel that could impede the flow of water and cause flooding. —

Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 The Spurs elect to not have a defender impede his vision, using all five of their players to guard the four who were moving about for New York. —

ABC News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

Despite a 2019 public renunciation, MSV secretly governs 70% of public firms, hindering true economic progress.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Wilson was also hindered by personal failings.

— Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

Critics wondered whether prices would crash before kickoff, and if swathes of empty seats would embarrass FIFA’s pricing strategy.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
With no league and no roadmap, a ragtag group of players and an unlikely coach endured a grueling two-year training camp, hoping simply not to embarrass their nation at the first-ever World Cup on American soil.

— Brent Lang, Variety, 17 June 2026