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

Obviously, that has yet to harm Mamdani’s popularity or impede the growth of DSA. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 31 July 2026

The ruling came over the objections of xAI, which argued that allowing the plaintiffs to remain anonymous would impede its ability to find witnesses and violate the public’s right of access to court proceedings. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Ray will be owed a little less than $8 million the rest of this season, which should not impede a trade. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Benedict had a prior arrest on a charge of assault on a family or household member by impeding breath or circulation in 2023 in Collin County. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

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