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

Heather Morrow, 44, no longer faces a charge of felony assault, resist, or impede a federal officer. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 25 Nov. 2025

Opponents argued that roads and infrastructure are not political issues, and that the bill’s proposal to make ACHD elections countywide would impede local control. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Nov. 2025

Both individuals were transported to the ERO Portland office for further investigation and federal prosecution for impeding federal law enforcement officers. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025

Antonio Mendez, 25, is charged with terrorism, hoax bombs and terroristic threat impeding public service, according to online records. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Nov. 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