as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads
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Recent Examples of impediments
Dasgupta notes that regular physical activity improves sleep quality by promoting deeper sleep stages, while limiting late-day naps helps prevent impediments to nighttime rest.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Assemblyman David Alvarez, D-Chula Vista, has introduced Assembly Bill 35, with the goal of streamlining the state’s myriad regulatory impediments to the projects funded by the proposition, CalMatters reported.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Also consider other impediments such as tariffs and customs duties; where the parts of your product are manufactured; product and component licensing; and use of open-source technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
Wiener said his bill would rectify those impediments.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Human and workers’ rights, environmental protections, child labor laws, and community standards are general impediments to the profit motives inherent in multilateral free trade agreements.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Burns typically happen during the week and not on holidays, to prevent impediments to residents’ lives.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But whereas many abundance advocates typically talk about removing government impediments to growth, such as zoning restrictions, Rodrik focusses on government interventions.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the courts have emerged as one of the main impediments to Trump administration policy.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Assemblyman David Alvarez, D-Chula Vista, has introduced Assembly Bill 35, with the goal of streamlining the state’s myriad regulatory impediments to the projects funded by the proposition, CalMatters reported.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Also consider other impediments such as tariffs and customs duties; where the parts of your product are manufactured; product and component licensing; and use of open-source technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
Wiener said his bill would rectify those impediments.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Human and workers’ rights, environmental protections, child labor laws, and community standards are general impediments to the profit motives inherent in multilateral free trade agreements.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
Burns typically happen during the week and not on holidays, to prevent impediments to residents’ lives.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But whereas many abundance advocates typically talk about removing government impediments to growth, such as zoning restrictions, Rodrik focusses on government interventions.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the courts have emerged as one of the main impediments to Trump administration policy.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
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But some of the obstacles to growth in Half Moon Bay are self-imposed.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The robot can respond to voice commands and is programmed to keep safe distances from people and obstacles.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other giants — John Romero of Doom and Glen Schofield of Dead Space — have had to rethink games because of business hurdles and deals falling through.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Last year, Utah became the first state in the country to pass legislation eliminating regulatory hurdles for the installation of plug-in solar panels.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Supporters emphasize election integrity, while opponents warn about potential barriers to participation.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Winhusen envisions a future where GLP-1 drugs help with one of the most difficult barriers to successful medical treatment — keeping people in treatment.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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