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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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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Recent Examples of blocking
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Over the following hours, the moon will pass directly in front of the red supergiant star, briefly blocking its light in an event that astronomers refer to as an occultation, according to the astronomy website In-the-Sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 May 2026
By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Since 2024, his framing and blocking numbers have significantly regressed.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
In blocking plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years, Cooper questioned the credibility of Executive Director Matt Floca's conclusion that renovations couldn't be carried out without shutting down the center for the pubic.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Replimune had accused the FDA of wrongfully blocking what some doctors see as a promising new way to treat the skin cancer, while the FDA had said Replimune ignored the agency’s guidance for conducting its clinical trials.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Teräväinen, 31, was inches from blocking the airborne puck that Connor McDavid passed to Nathan MacKinnon for the winning goal that sent Canada past Finland and into the gold-medal game.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The ruling now adds new complications to a parallel legal fight before Xinis, where the administration is seeking to dissolve her injunction blocking Abrego Garcia’s swift deportation if he is released from custody.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 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
The additions of Kadyn Proctor along the offensive line and blocking tight end Will Kacmarek almost certainly affirmed that.
—Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Over the following hours, the moon will pass directly in front of the red supergiant star, briefly blocking its light in an event that astronomers refer to as an occultation, according to the astronomy website In-the-Sky.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 May 2026
By activating its regional proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, Iran could orchestrate the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, blocking another vital artery connecting major trade routes between Europe, Asia and the Arab world.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
Since 2024, his framing and blocking numbers have significantly regressed.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 29 May 2026
In blocking plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years, Cooper questioned the credibility of Executive Director Matt Floca's conclusion that renovations couldn't be carried out without shutting down the center for the pubic.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Replimune had accused the FDA of wrongfully blocking what some doctors see as a promising new way to treat the skin cancer, while the FDA had said Replimune ignored the agency’s guidance for conducting its clinical trials.
—Angelica Peebles, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Teräväinen, 31, was inches from blocking the airborne puck that Connor McDavid passed to Nathan MacKinnon for the winning goal that sent Canada past Finland and into the gold-medal game.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
The ruling now adds new complications to a parallel legal fight before Xinis, where the administration is seeking to dissolve her injunction blocking Abrego Garcia’s swift deportation if he is released from custody.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Verb
-
Finally, allow the solution to come to room temperature before filling your feeders.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
-
Such scandals have put the spotlight on a murky (and growing) world of speculative, 24/7 transactions now filling the internet.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The decision comes a year after 23-year-old Samson Allen appealed his guilty verdict of resisting and obstructing police.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 29,
Idaho Statesman,
29 May 2026
-
Comey was first indicted last September by a federal grand jury in Virginia on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding in connection with his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, Israel bombed Iranian cities—with explosions heard in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan—as well as an Iranian petrochemical plant in Bandar-e Mahshar after intercepting a wave of ballistic missiles from Iran on Sunday night.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
Kuwaiti’s military said forces were intercepting missiles and drones attacking the country, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens and told residents to move to the nearest safe location and follow official instructions.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Keep scrolling for even more vacation-ready finds that’ll make packing for summer trips a whole lot easier — and, more importantly, far less expensive.—
Aashna Gheewalla,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
-
Originally a sweet rice fritter served with café au lait, Muhammad turned it savory, packing his batter with salmon for a more substantial bite.—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Instead of the upbeat dance tune on the original recording, Kesha slowed it down, jamming along on an electric guitar with a deeper and booming instrumental track blaring throughout the venue.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
From a tactical standpoint, the fort is unlikely to deter Hezbollah’s new crop of attack drones, which rely on fiber-optic cables and are impervious to jamming.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The best know how to play through grabbing or shoving of various degrees.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Wembanyama finished Game 6 with 28 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Tight end Walker Lyons, a transfer from USC, is an intriguing addition, and the Cougars did a good job of plugging holes on the O-line.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
French maintained a tight lead against incumbent Jim Wright, a fifth-generation rancher running for his second term whose primary campaign priorities included reducing red tape for new oil production, plugging orphan wells, and defending landowner rights.—
Emily Holshouser
May 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Fire officials dispatched two helicopters and two air tankers to drop water and fire retardant on the flames, which briefly threatened Hanson Elementary School on Boundary Avenue, Cornette said.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 June 2026
-
Ground crews are focused on constructing fire lines to strengthen containment efforts, while air tankers continue dropping retardant ahead of the fire to slow its spread.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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