as in impeding
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1
as in filling
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstructing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intercepting
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blocking
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Sarah Garone, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
In Marvel Oreo canon, three packs of the legend cookies made it to stores but Marvel villains were blocking the fourth pack's way.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Smart for blocking wind, bugs, and sun.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Team Sweden created a screen in front of the Swiss goal, blocking goalkeeper Andrea Braendli's visibility completely.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
In Marvel Oreo canon, three packs of the legend cookies made it to stores but Marvel villains were blocking the fourth pack's way.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
And that was that the sheriff is blocking the FBI.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Dasen also noted that before this research, there had been no evidence that Romans knew of this type of blocking game.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The winner was the player who avoided being blocked the longest — a blocking game, a category of strategy game where the objective centers on restricting your opponent’s movement.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
According to neurologist and lifestyle medicine physician Lynette Gogol, DO, DipABLM, caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain that are involved in inflammation and communication between nerve cells.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 20 Feb. 2026
In Marvel Oreo canon, three packs of the legend cookies made it to stores but Marvel villains were blocking the fourth pack's way.
—Rin Velasco, The Providence Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
Smart for blocking wind, bugs, and sun.
—Amelia Arvesen, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Team Sweden created a screen in front of the Swiss goal, blocking goalkeeper Andrea Braendli's visibility completely.
—Sean Nevin, NBC news, 19 Feb. 2026
In Marvel Oreo canon, three packs of the legend cookies made it to stores but Marvel villains were blocking the fourth pack's way.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
And that was that the sheriff is blocking the FBI.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
Dasen also noted that before this research, there had been no evidence that Romans knew of this type of blocking game.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 19 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Verb
-
This styler has a pencil for spot-filling sparse brows and a soft spoolie for blending in product afterward.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Fresh produce, ricotta, lemon, mint, and pasta shells create a perfectly balanced creamy and crunchy spring dinner that is filling without leaving you feeling stuffed.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His list of charges now includes resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer and identity theft in Lee County, officials said.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Last month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing authorities trying to detain him, abuse of power and fabricating a document.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The first steal — intercepting a second-quarter pass by LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley — tied Harmon with Waggoneer in the UT record books.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Russia suspected of intercepting EU satellites Russian space vehicles have approached European satellites and intercepted their communications, officials believe.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Rain didn’t stop an audience from packing the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Additional volunteer work this week includes helping Habitat for Humanity build a home, packing meals for Second Harvest and a park beatification with the group Keep Orlando Beautiful, among other opportunities.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Suspects are allegedly jamming the signal, making your camera useless.—
Chris Hoffman,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Tiana Zoey posted a video on Instagram of crowds jamming the Downtown Disney walkway along the Porto’s construction walls before Disneyland decided to open the backstage bypass.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Within a few blocks of the hotel are also many spots worthy of grabbing a tasty bite or a drink—Bamboo Sushi, Radio Room, and Walter French's, to name a few.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
-
What’s particularly exciting is how many films are grabbing dates in ’27 and ’28.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Wright’s priorities include cutting regulatory red tape so permits can be issued quicker, plugging orphan wells and building out the state’s energy infrastructure.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
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California has tried to accelerate the pace of plugging idle oil wells in recent years.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that exposure to chlorine, a flame retardant, at 60 micrograms per gram for 60 minutes or more through inhalation can lead to lung irritation and impaired function.—
Aude Konan,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Firefighters responded with a C-130 air tanker, dropped retardant and created containment lines around the fire.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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