as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 impediments
And that means freedom from certain impediments.
—
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The horizontal bar chart shows different circumstances, like high cost of living and expensive housing, that Americans identify as impediments to achieving the American dream.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
In fact, the data showed that more than 60 million families don’t play together at all, with those surveyed citing barriers such as work, screen time, household chores, cost and a lack of safe spaces as impediments to fun.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 June 2026
Electric grids, largely designed for centralized fossil generation, are impediments to renewable expansion.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The housing crisis is one of the biggest impediments to prosperity and quality of life in San Diego and California.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Stuck in the desert somewhere just south of the American border, Zendaya’s desperate, unreasonably chipper addict is trying to get a duffel bag filled with who knows what from Chihuahua back to California, but her off-road route is filled with impediments.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the main impediments to buying an electric vehicle in the US was the availability of charging infrastructure.
—Kyle Stock, Bloomberg, 8 Apr. 2026
There is no problem in America that will be solved by fewer impediments to mob rule.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The horizontal bar chart shows different circumstances, like high cost of living and expensive housing, that Americans identify as impediments to achieving the American dream.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
In fact, the data showed that more than 60 million families don’t play together at all, with those surveyed citing barriers such as work, screen time, household chores, cost and a lack of safe spaces as impediments to fun.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 June 2026
Electric grids, largely designed for centralized fossil generation, are impediments to renewable expansion.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The housing crisis is one of the biggest impediments to prosperity and quality of life in San Diego and California.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Stuck in the desert somewhere just south of the American border, Zendaya’s desperate, unreasonably chipper addict is trying to get a duffel bag filled with who knows what from Chihuahua back to California, but her off-road route is filled with impediments.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the main impediments to buying an electric vehicle in the US was the availability of charging infrastructure.
—Kyle Stock, Bloomberg, 8 Apr. 2026
There is no problem in America that will be solved by fewer impediments to mob rule.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
-
For more than 48 hours, captain Lillian Zulu had been trying to keep her squad's spirits high despite mounting obstacles.—
Ryan Lenora Brown,
NPR,
14 June 2026
-
One of Whaley’s biggest obstacles was learning how to use a computer to complete his schoolwork.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Taking Ament would require belief that the shooting and strength questions are developmental hurdles, not glaring red flags.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
-
Beyond institutional hurdles, players also faced a wave of sexist abuse online.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
To have the best chance of viewing the planetary alignment, find a spot free of light pollution and a view of the horizon without obstructions like trees or tall buildings.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Not just crashes, but obstructions, emergency scene conflicts, unexpected stops in travel lanes and response-time performance.—
David Roberts,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The British Government is desperate to make progress in tearing down trade barriers.—
Anand Menon,
Time,
13 June 2026
-
While most Americans now live in states with some form of legal cannabis access, federal law continues to create significant barriers.—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
