impede

verb

im·​pede im-ˈpēd 

impeded; impeding

transitive verb

: to interfere with or slow the progress of

impeder noun

Synonyms of impede

• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass

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

There will no doubt be some who will try to impede the investigation. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 7 Dec. 2025

The two teams claim NASCAR exploits that control to impede potential rivals, pay teams less and prevent permanent ownership of charters, which are multiyear contracts between teams and NASCAR. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Furious protesters have clashed with federal agents outside ICE facilities and at the scene of arrests, and the Department of Homeland Security has accused some demonstrators of damaging federal property, assaulting agents and impeding law enforcement. —Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025

Prosecutors had until Wednesday to obtain an indictment against Chicago Laugh Factory manager Nathan Griffin, who had been charged with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal officer. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impede

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• indeed

Kids Definition

impede

verb

im·​pede im-ˈpēd 

impeded; impeding

: to interfere with the movement or progress of

impeder noun

Etymology

from Latin impedire "to hinder, get in the way of," literally, "to bind or hold the feet of," derived from im-, in- "in, into" and ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian