Definition of IMPEDE

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

The investigations and recovery work are further impeded by the fact that these deaths often happen in tunnels between stations. — Kate King, WSJ, "Man Dies While Walking Between New York City Subway Cars," 30 Dec. 2018 Rescuers from the White Helmets documented 42 fatalities but were impeded from searching further by strong odors that caused breathing difficulties, said Siraj Mahmoud, a spokesman for the group. — Time, "Monitors Say 14 People Were Killed in a Missile Strike on a Syrian Air Base," 9 Apr. 2018 But as the court noted, the purpose for the exemption is to prevent premature disclosure that could impede an investigation or allow a suspect to avoid apprehension or detection. — Jack Greiner, Cincinnati.com, "Greiner on Florida school shooting: Parkland exterior security video is public record," 21 Mar. 2018 Just Add Gauloises The problem: That Parisian classic, the rattan cafe chair designed in 1885, relies on a X-shaped base that impedes stacking. — Sarah Medford, WSJ, "Maison & Objet 2019: Best in Show From the Paris Design Fair," 25 Jan. 2019 But a proposal to move the school to Sugar Sand Park drew protests from neighbors, who pointed out several legal restrictions that could impede construction. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boca Raton to get new, renovated schools," 12 June 2018 Look for under ground debris that may impede root growth and remove. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Secrets to sunflower success," 2 June 2018 If Republicans lose control of one or both chambers, that could seriously impede President Trump’s policy agenda, and possibly even lead to his impeachment. — Margaret Hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Won’t Say Midterms Are as Important as His Glorious 2016 Victory," 23 May 2018 But Republicans have accused the DOJ under Rosenstein and FBI of stonewalling and intentionally impeding their investigation, despite the agencies' claims that fulfilling the request requires a careful review of the sensitive documents. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee alleges GOP plot to oust Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein 'on Friday'," 19 June 2018

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.