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

These highly visible interventions into politics both inside and outside the United States amplify hate speech, endanger the freedom of the press, empower politicians and citizens who target minorities and marginalized groups, and impede citizens’ ability to make informed choices at the ballot box. —Nic Cheeseman, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

This process wrecks kidney and heart tissue, causing the heart to enlarge and blood vessels to become stiffer, impeding circulation and setting the stage for clots. —Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025

Auwarter is far from the model patient for a heart attack, which is generally perceived as an older man’s condition, and occurs when part of the blood flow to your heart gets impeded. —Erica Sloan, SELF, 15 Dec. 2025

In the ruling, the majority of justices said the Legislature was impeding the ability of the executive branch to execute laws, and violating the separation of powers. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 15 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