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

Police have asked that no one venture onto the walking trails on Monday to avoid impeding the search. —Riley Rourke, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

The former Milwaukee Bucks guard was taken into custody by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and charged with a felony count of assault on a family or household member for impeding breathing or circulation, according to court records. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

The two companies presented information incorrectly or withheld it, significantly impeding analysis, according to the Commerce Department. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2025

These flaws impede the flow of electrons, reducing the cell’s power output and creating pathways for the material to degrade. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 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