BLOCKING Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

blocking 1 of 2

adjective

as in impeding

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Dissimilar Words

blocking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of block

as in filling

to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 blocking

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 train began blocking the crossing on Tuesday morning, forcing drivers to find alternate routes. — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 The first of those state-court eligibility decisions, granted in Ohio in early July, was paused by an appeals court this week, blocking it from taking effect. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Snap share can mislead because a back can spend 50 snaps blocking. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 When the winds died down, Carter went outside to find hail blanketing her yard and fog blocking her view of the street. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026 But the researchers did observe an increase in irregular heartbeat, lung-artery-blocking blood clots and—surprisingly—bone fractures. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 Similarly, large-scale hydroelectric dams disrupt freshwater ecosystems by fragmenting rivers, blocking migratory fish species like salmon, and altering natural sediment flows. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 Certain supplements do not mix well, blocking each other’s absorption, or refusing to absorb at all if too much (or too little) of a certain food is present in your stomach. — Diana Helmuth, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 Willis adds some important context to the pass-blocking struggles. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking

Adjective

Each spent the day making their way to and from the Hawk Fire, carrying with them over 9,000 gallons of water and fire retardant to aid fire crews on the frontlines.

— Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Firefighters used a bulldozer, cut down trees and applied fire retardant in their attempt to contain the flames, Hargrove said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of retardant

Verb

In July, Michaels was diagnosed with a complicated obstructing kidney stone, which required immediate surgery and the placement of a ureteral stent.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
But Seminole’s Special Magistrate Sherry Sutphen chastised Moncrief, a resident of The Springs neighborhood, for likely damaging the river’s ecology behind his home and obstructing its natural flow.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstructing

Verb

Nonetheless, the costs of intercepting incoming munitions could prove particularly high if targets are engaged over populated areas, with drones, defensive munitions and falling debris all posing risks to people and property on the ground.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
This strategic shift follows Ukraine's success in intercepting nearly 90% of the slower drones.

— David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of intercepting

Adjective

McCaskill said the frequent outages are frustrating, especially during the high temperatures this summer.

— Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
Since then, a tarp has covered the area where the letters were once installed, frustrating those who sought to the remove the president's name from the building.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrating

Verb

Some of the top documentary filmmakers in the world soon will be packing their bags for Toronto, preparing for a curtain call at one of the world’s most important cinematic events.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Weipz said the families of the victims had already been packing to head to Washington for the trial.

— James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of packing

Verb

The unit also dabbled in artificial intelligence, which Hegseth has been pushing, and designing drones resistant to jamming.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said NCSIST had already verified jamming capabilities for the newer frequency and would introduce them through future upgrades.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of jamming

Verb

One of the more memorable instances finds Cole grabbing an open padlock off a door and using it to belt an opponent across the face before hooking the shackle into the dude’s mouth and using it to rip open his cheek.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
But everything points to his being ready for Week 1, and Jones already didn’t run as much between the 10s last year, so a free ticket on a potential fringe-QB1 is worth grabbing.

— Jake Ciely, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026