block

1 a number of things considered as a unit bought a block of stocks Synonyms array, assemblage, band, bank, batch, battery, group, bunch, clot, clump, cluster, clutch, collection, constellation, grouping, huddle, knot, lot, muster, package, parcel, passel, set, suiteRelated Words accumulation, aggregate, aggregation, conglomeration; agglomeration, assortment, hodgepodge, jumble, miscellany, mixture, odds and ends, sundries, variety; cycle, run, series, suitNear Antonyms entity, item, single, unit

2 something that makes movement or progress difficult constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project Synonyms balk, bar, encumbrance, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, trammelRelated Words catch, hitch, rub, snag; barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall; arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint; embargo, stoppage; delay, holdup, stall; burden, cumber, load; danger, hazard, peril, reef; adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardshipNear Antonyms catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus; advantage, break, edge; aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help

3 slang  the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise Synonyms bean, head [slang], dome, mazard (or mazzard) [chiefly dialect], nob, noddle, noggin, noodle, nut [slang], pate, pollRelated Words cranium, crown, scalp, skull; occiput

4 a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party Synonyms bloc, faction, body, coalition, party, sect, set, side, wingRelated Words splinter, split; crew, gang, pack, team; denomination, persuasion; schism, scission; caucus, movement

5 an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a block of oil-producing nations Synonyms alliance, axis, bloc, confederacy, coalition, combination, combine, confederation, federation, league, unionRelated Words cabal, conspiracy, junto; cartel, syndicate, trust; faction, front, fusion, side, wing; association, group, organization; affiliation, cooperative, partnership; circuit, conference

1 to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was Synonyms fill, bung, dam, pack, plug, stop, stuffRelated Words choke, clog, close (off), clot, congest, jam, obstruct, occlude; caulk, chink, seal; repack, restuffNear Antonyms excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out), shovel

2 to prevent passage through by filling with something one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle Synonyms clog, choke, clot, congest, dam, gum (up), jam, obstruct, occlude, plug (up), stop (up), stuffRelated Words bung, cork, spile, stopper, stopple; fill, gridlock, pack; fur, silt; flood, glut, inundate, overwhelm, swampNear Antonyms excavate, hollow (out), scoop (out); empty, lightenAntonyms clear, free, open (up), unblock, unclog, unplug, unstop

3 to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley Synonyms intercept, interdict, pick offRelated Words capture, catch, collar, corral, grab, seize, snare, snatch, trap