block 1 of 3

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

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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)

3 of 3

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
She’s been working on block starts and her reaction time. Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025 For the past two years, he’s lived in an upstairs apartment that overlooks this block of hotels, boutiques and restaurants. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
Verb
Scott recently flexed his political muscles by blocking a state policy that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025 Casper's decision also blocked a provision of the executive order that would have added new requirements for how U.S. citizens abroad, including military members and their families, register and vote. Miles Parks, NPR, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
Noun
  • The nine isles are organized into three geographic clusters—east, central, and west.
    Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Existing Challenges While the impact of these types of fintechs is already significant, their work is not without its own set of obstacles, and several ongoing challenges remain.
    Murtaza Ali, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Raise the stakes, place insuperable obstacles before the protagonist, have the protagonist somehow surmount them while becoming braver and better.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 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
  • On the left-hand side of the stage, fans funnelled directly into a pen that added more pressure to fans against barriers with no route of escape.
    Rory Doherty, Time, 10 June 2025
  • Their litany of injuries on the pitching side, particularly to the starting rotation, has mushroomed to cartoonish levels.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 10 June 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 weekend is here, which means a fresh batch of movie and TV titles are in the queue.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 12 June 2025
  • Google's Pixel phones got a big update this week with the release of Android 16 and a batch of Pixel Drop features.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Distribution: The Lingering Weak Link For all its strengths, Catalan animation still faces significant hurdles in distribution, especially at home.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • Though House approval is still needed, the Senate vote marked a major hurdle, because the stadium incentives stalled there last month.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Unexpectedly, the tire shattered and debris flew into the teen’s right eye and skull, according to WGBA.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder involving an excess of CSF that elevates pressure inside the skull and compresses the brain.
    Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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