block 1 of 3

1
2
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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

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

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5

block

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verb (1)

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

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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

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block (off)

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verb (2)

as in to guard
to disallow entry into (a place) by means of a physical barrier at the entry point the square is temporarily blocked off for the street fair

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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
Cloudy white spots in the lens, possibly linked to genetics or diabetes, that block vision. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 Anthony Brown, 59, who works at an outpatient program and pantry down the block from Mette’s apartment, said Mette was a pillar of the neighborhood who offered grandmotherly support to everyone. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
If access is granted, security controls are in place to block the bad and protect the good. Zeus Kerravala, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 Opposition parties, civil-society groups, ex-generals, and other citizens filed suit, asking the supreme court to block Bar’s dismissal. Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
Noun
  • For instance, in 2015, Texas A&M scientists found that implanting electrodes into a cockroach's ganglion (the neuron cluster that controls its front legs) was remarkably effective at successfully steering the roaches 60 percent of the time.
    Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025
  • This year, the nominating committee left a cluster of prominent directors far from the spotlight.
    Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Arches is designed for all-around off-roading, while the Cliffhanger is geared toward slow, technical obstacles.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • However, the obstacle avoidance technology included in the X10 Pro Omni has a 3D MatrixEye.
    Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Noun
  • The picture on the left side of the frame was a painting of the two dogs, Barney and Buford.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Hondarribia is along the coast from the city of San Sebastian, where La Liga side Real Sociedad is based.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Americans are divided on that topic, with 55% saying historical figures that supported the confederacy and racial segregation should not be memorialized in a June 2024 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Men were the representatives of their clans and nations in the Haudenosaunee council, which made decisions for the confederacy as a whole.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The project was pressed in a run of 15,000 copies, one of the largest batches among the exclusives.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That means pharmacies and facilities that sell batches of the medication could face FDA enforcement.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Vessel Project is built on the principles of mutual aid, ensuring that no one is left behind and that support reaches those in need without the bureaucratic hurdles that often hinder access.
    Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 1 May 2025
  • The Olympian and World Championship silver medalist is a superstar heptathlete who’s headed for the women’s long hurdles.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Revel fractured his skull and broke his nose which ended his sophomore football season.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Apr. 2025
  • His hair pours off his head as if leaking from his skull.
    Yinka Elujoba, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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