impede

verb

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im·pede | \ im-ˈpēd

impeded; impeding

Definition of impede

transitive verb

: to interfere with or slow the progress of

Other Words from impede Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More About impede

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Clearly, a lack of access to financial services can impede fiscal growth and stifle consumer markets. — Luke Chittock, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2021 Thin ice and unfrozen rivers impede the movements of (and drown) hunters and caribou alike. — Richard Adams Carey, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2021 The body knows what to do, and interventions—like electronic monitoring, vaginal exams, labor induction, episiotomy, and epidurals—impede birth from unfolding as nature intends, a free birther would argue. — Rebecca Grant, Marie Claire, 9 June 2021 Rather than typical hair catchers that sit above the drain to impede anything from going down, this one actually fits snugly inside of your drain. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 27 May 2021 The schedule is probably going to impede that from happening. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Apr. 2021 Experts say that, as in most countries, the real numbers of infections and deaths are probably much higher because insufficient testing, asymptomatic cases and other issues impede authorities from capturing the true scale of the outbreak. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Oct. 2020 Experts say that, as in most countries, the real numbers of infections and deaths are probably much higher because insufficient testing, asymptomatic cases and other issues impede authorities from capturing the true scale of the outbreak. — Joseph Wilson, Star Tribune, 21 Oct. 2020 Stocks stumbled midweek as investors weighed fears that an uptick in Covid-19 infections and a slowdown in China’s growth could impede the global recovery. — Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 20 Aug. 2021

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.