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

Wheat had asked that the subpoenas be kept secret, so as not to impede an open investigation. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Garces Perez faces one count of assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Sarah Thompson, president of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, drew attention to the importance of recognizing AI’s ability to simultaneously facilitate education efficacy while impeding other forms of learning. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Throughout Europe, there are rising industry pressures, which include inflation, shipping costs and energy prices, which are impeding growth. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 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