impede

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verb im·pede \ im-ˈpēd \

Definition of impede

impeded; impeding

transitive verb

:to interfere with or slow the progress of

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impeder

noun

See impede defined for English-language learners

See impede defined for kids

Examples of impede in a Sentence

He claims that economic growth is being impeded by government regulations.
The soldiers could not impede the enemy's advance.

Recent Examples of impede from the Web

While the opposition warns of an impeding dictatorship, most parties begrudgingly agreed to participate in regional elections scheduled for October, fearing that a boycott could cede even more power to Maduro.

— fabiola zerpa, Bloomberg.com, "Venezuela's Maduro Regime Steps Up Crackdown on Dissidents," 17 Aug. 2017
His way to a roster spot seemed further impeded in the offseason when the team drafted two receivers, including Amara Darboh in the third round.

— bob condotta, The Seattle Times, "What we learned from the Seahawks’ preseason win over the Chargers," 14 Aug. 2017
What impeded her was the daily trip from Lake Isabella to Bakersfield — an hour-plus bus ride down the curving canyon road.

— brian rinker, Kaiser Health News, "A Long And Winding Road: Kicking Heroin In An Opioid ‘Treatment Desert’," 11 Aug. 2017
That delay impedes what players say is one of the old beauties of their game — continuous play.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Sporting KC embracing addition of MLS instant replay, but there’s skepticism," 5 Aug. 2017
Technology in fashion should enhance your life and not impede your everyday movement and lifestyle.

— faith cummings, Teen Vogue, "2017 Woolmark Prize Winners Zaid Affas and Christopher Bevans Talk Breaking Into the Fashion Industry," 3 Aug. 2017
Supporters of the buffer zone stressed at the meeting that a safety zone wouldn't impede on protesters' right.

— tessa weinberg, The Courier-Journal, "Metro Council gets a taste of upcoming abortion clinic protests during buffer zone talks," 19 July 2017
Kinzinger answered that his age would not impede his judgment if offered such a meeting.

— lindsey ellefson, CNN, "GOP rep.: 'You hit hard stop' when Russians offer you political information," 14 July 2017
That’s correct, impeding, for example, as one commentator suggested, the lawful administration of a federal election.

— lily carollo, Daily Intelligencer, "Election Law Expert Robert Bauer on What Don Jr.’s Emails Mean for the President," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of impede

Latin impedire, from in- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

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First Known Use: circa 1595

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impede Synonyms

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, hamper, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

Synonym Discussion of impede

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

- rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

- tight clothing that impedes movement

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

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

- a landslide blocked the road

IMPEDE Defined for English Language Learners

impede

play

verb

Definition of impede for English Language Learners

: to slow the movement, progress, or action of (someone or something)

IMPEDE Defined for Kids

impede

play

verb im·pede \ im-ˈpēd \

Definition of impede for Students

impeded; impeding

:to interfere with the movement or progress of A snowstorm impeded his journey.

Learn More about impede

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impede Spanish Central: Translation of impede Nglish: Translation of impede for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impede for Arabic speakers

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Examples of impede in a Sentence

Recent Examples of impede from the Web

Origin and Etymology of impede

impede Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of impede

IMPEDE Defined for English Language Learners

impede

Definition of impede for English Language Learners

IMPEDE Defined for Kids

impede

Definition of impede for Students

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