block 1 of 3

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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
After throwing the sandwich, Dunn ran off but was apprehended about a block away. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025 Just over a month later, on Christmas Day 2024, officers were again called to the area near the 800 block of Paseo Del Mar after a partial human leg washed ashore. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
Simply stated, the filibuster lets a minority number of senators block passage of a bill until 60 of 100 of the full Senate agree to limit debate on legislation – a process known as cloture – and allow passage to proceed. George Petras, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025 The ingredient works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and causing muscles to relax. CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
Noun
  • These gorgeous cluster bowls from The Favorites make creating a holiday dip spread, a crudité platter, a taco night, or a baked potato bar—use your imagination—so much faster and easier.
    Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Now, however the cluster of six ±1% moves since the sharp 3% drop on October 10 has materialized.
    Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Still, recent history has thrown obstacles in the way of developers’ timelines for Sacramento-area sports venues.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • It was struck down, eliminating an obstacle for those lawsuits to get to trial.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Experts say many multinational firms are adopting dual leadership models, where global business unit heads in India co-own strategy and product outcomes with their counterparts at headquarters.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Helm sees smoke rising on the other side of the forest, without lightning or lava’s arson.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But Scherzinger is operating out of a great tradition with this stuff, and there aren’t a lot of others of her generation filling the void, at least with her profile coming from the pop side and the chops to work it on the theater side.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Long before settlers came to the Americas, there was a confederacy and governance system between three tribes: the Ottawa, the Ojibwe and the Potawatomi.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The confederacy of tribes was pressured into ceding lands to the state of New York, and further displaced by ensuing frontier settlement.
    Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Now, one of her enemies has done the same — only this batch of flames is more like being tossed into an incinerator than warming up by the fireplace.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The scarcity is not performed but natural; small-batch production means fewer than a thousand of any one item exist.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Separately, industry experts point to fundamental technical hurdles.
    Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The landfill project has faced several hurdles and drawn the ire of residents since 2024, when Chisholm filed an application for a permit.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Aldo Olivieri, il Gatto Magico (the Magic Cat), who had survived a fractured skull that required drilling to save his life and left him with chronic headaches, became the first-choice goalkeeper.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The sale includes ghost, candy corn, spiderweb, skull, and bat icon glasses, and each set includes four glasses.
    Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

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