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

Endometriosis can cause scar tissue that might make organs, including those in the reproductive system, begin to stick together, impeding their function. — Colleen Stinchcombe, SELF, "How Does Endometriosis Impact Fertility?," 8 Feb. 2019 But government officials shouldn’t impose projects on communities that don’t work, inconvenience residents, hurt businesses and impede emergency responders in the process. — Christopher D. Legras, WSJ, "Vision Zero, a ‘Road Diet’ Fad, Is Proving to Be Deadly," 18 Jan. 2019 However, Stat has reported that the DEA did not grant these additional licenses and has stopped accepting applications for them, impeding progress again. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Government bans on pot research have created room for marijuana health hype," 6 Nov. 2018 Now, in the narrow-field mode, GALACSI and MUSE used a new adaptive optics technology called laser tomography to correct for nearly all of the atmospheric interference impeding the telescope, although for a smaller area of the sky. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "New Technology Allows Ground Telescope to Take Sharper Images Than Hubble," 18 July 2018 Ultraviolet rays may play a role in the development of cataracts as well as growths on the surface of the eye called pterygiums, which can impede your vision. — Amanda Gardner, Health.com, "Why Those Tiny Sunglasses Celebs Love Aren't Actually Good for Your Eyes," 13 June 2018 This, in turn, impedes the widespread establishment of schools, hospitals, and other societal structures that could improve the health and overall well-being of the inhabitants. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "New study gives some handy tips on how to survive on Game of Thrones," 9 Dec. 2018 Jellied cranberry sauce goes through much the same process, but it is heavily strained, removing elements of nature — skin, seeds — that would impede its perfect, silken texture. — Rachel Sugar, Vox, "Canned cranberry sauce, explained," 21 Nov. 2018 Tito Catota, 38, admitted on Monday to forcibly assaulting, impeding, intimidating and interfering with two male customs officers while on duty at Newark Liberty International Airport in 2016 and 2017, the Associated Press reports. — Fox News, "Customs officer involved in 'rape table' controversy pleads guilty; two others indicted," 2 Oct. 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.