block 1 of 2

Definition of blocknext
1
2
3
as in head
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 & Similar Words

4
as in side
a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

block

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to intercept
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 & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb block contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of block are hinder, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When might hinder be a better fit than block?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can impede take the place of block?

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When would obstruct be a good substitute for block?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; however, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of block
Noun
Launching the plan means the district spending money on training for teachers and materials like play kitchens, bookshelves, blocks and easels. Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 By 1931, the enterprise filled a city block. Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Verb
The healthy protein helps block the bad protein and turn off its signaling. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 29 May 2026 The villagers had reportedly entered the cave last week to look for valuable minerals before being trapped by flash flooding that blocked their way out. Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
Noun
  • Yarrow Don’t let the delicate appearance of the tiny flower clusters that characterize yarrow fool you—this is one hardy perennial.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
  • Supercells, which are rotating thunderstorms, could form first, then merge into larger clusters or storm complexes, the National Weather Service said.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The winner in November will lead the country's most populous state, facing a large deficit and other obstacles, including the state's high cost of living, homelessness and wildfire risk.
    Marisa Lagos, NPR, 6 June 2026
  • Despite the ongoing ups and downs of the housing market, including economic cycles and affordability obstacles including post-pandemic high interest rates, low inventory, and soaring prices, women – particularly Millennials – have continued to show resiliency.
    Kathy Collins, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • From the Neolithic rock art of what is now Libya to ancient Egypt, China and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, creatures at borderlands of what was taken to be civilization were represented as cynocephalic, that is, humans with dog heads.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • In the gallery, Austin's brother, Hunter Metcalf, lowered his head into his hands, visibly shaken.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • On the drama side of guest actor, the category was nearly steady at 84, down three from 87, while guest drama actress saw the cycle’s sharpest guest decline, falling to 51 from 77.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Though Ohtani underwent surgery on the same knee in 2019, that was to address bipartite patella, on the other side of the knee.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • And the citizenship question, the birthright-citizenship question, is part of that effort to federalize power such that a confederacy, a secession or anything like it, could never happen again.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
  • Speakers said the spot was once the temple of the confederacy and became holy ground of the civil rights movement.
    Kim Chandler, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • There was fruit, sandwiches, kimbap, beer, and cigarettes—enough to fill the day in quiet peace.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Studio had some formidable shoes to fill, replacing the eponymous and long-beloved French fine-dining institution that had defined special-occasion fine dining in Laguna Beach for more than twenty years.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Eight people were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, according to the NYPD.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 9 June 2026
  • Zabel is also accused of obstructing the roadway.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Kuwait and Bahrain recently intercepted Tehran’s attacks after US forces struck radar surveillance sites in Iran’s coastal areas.
    Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
  • Bahrain said Saturday that Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones toward the kingdom and Kuwait, all of which were intercepted and destroyed by Bahrain’s air defense systems.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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