as in impeding
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blocking
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
The big guy in the doorway stretched out his arms, his hands gripping both sides of the knotty pine planks on either side of the door frame, his body filling the space, blocking our way out.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Blue-light blocking glasses on the morning commute home prevent daylight from resetting the clock before bed.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Of course, this was kind of obvious amid reports that the Vegas Golden Knights were blocking the Oilers from talking to head coach Bruce Cassidy.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
In Minnesota’s desperate final minutes of the game, Poulin was on the ice, defending Montreal’s lead and blocking shots to help secure the win.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Instead of blocking the unwanted memory, this strategy involves replacing it with another mentally engaging image or memory.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The power lines were blocking traffic on South University Boulevard between East Belleview Avenue and East Orchard Road, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Twisters tore through southern Mississippi late Wednesday, destroying homes and blocking roadways with debris.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 7 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 affidavit states that Dunmars parked in front of Hayes’ vehicle, partially blocking her path, before a physical fight allegedly broke out involving Dunmars’ daughter and two of Hayes’ daughters.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
The big guy in the doorway stretched out his arms, his hands gripping both sides of the knotty pine planks on either side of the door frame, his body filling the space, blocking our way out.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Blue-light blocking glasses on the morning commute home prevent daylight from resetting the clock before bed.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Of course, this was kind of obvious amid reports that the Vegas Golden Knights were blocking the Oilers from talking to head coach Bruce Cassidy.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
In Minnesota’s desperate final minutes of the game, Poulin was on the ice, defending Montreal’s lead and blocking shots to help secure the win.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Instead of blocking the unwanted memory, this strategy involves replacing it with another mentally engaging image or memory.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
The power lines were blocking traffic on South University Boulevard between East Belleview Avenue and East Orchard Road, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Twisters tore through southern Mississippi late Wednesday, destroying homes and blocking roadways with debris.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 7 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Verb
-
The delays in filling housing through the city’s lottery have knock-on effects beyond the apartments not going quickly to the people who need them.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Start copying Hilary Duff's cover-ready look by filling your cart with the eleven products below, with prices starting at just $28.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Former court clerk pleads guilty Hill pleaded guilty to perjury, obstructing justice and misconduct in office and was sentenced to three years' probation and 100 hours of community service.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
Republican voters will choose between challenger Holly Cook and incumbent Ryan Davidson for the Ada County Commission District 1 seat in Tuesday’s primary, with both candidates carrying significant legal histories ranging from bankruptcy to contempt of court to resisting or obstructing officers.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Separately, a drone strike caused a fire near a UAE nuclear facility, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones apparently entering its airspace from Iraq, perhaps launched by Iranian proxies.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
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The United Arab Emirates also said a drone strike caused a fire at a nuclear power plant, while Saudi Arabia reported intercepting three drones from Iraqi airspace.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Section Two of the Voting Rights Act was written to prevent diminishing the voting power of racial minorities by packing them into one district or spreading them out across many districts.—
Sarah Clifton,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
Of course, packing two days of qualifying comes with some concessions.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Importantly, the turret appears to be effective against Russian fiber-optic drones, which are immune to jamming.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Riders will be fully immersed in the story as an audio-animatronic of Scooter attempts to convince the band to stop jamming and leave to make their concert on time.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The driver who picked up the goods told FT that grabbing items in the location takes roughly five minutes, while the same trip to a Walmart Supercenter store could take 25 minutes.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
The Limitless Lash Mascara is especially worth grabbing while it’s marked down.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Through a combination of outdoor placements, promotional teams on the streets and airline seatbacks, the distributor’s advertising unit is plugging the company’s multi-channel packages.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
On Friday, the Knicks had Shamet to thank for plugging the hole in the starting unit.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
On top of a hill with a view of the canyon off Olinda Drive, about a dozen firefighters trained their eyes on the wildfire as helicopter after helicopter dropped water and large tanker planes made retardant drops.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Crews are focusing on protecting homes and building fire lines, with help from heavy equipment like bulldozers and support from federal air tankers dropping water and fire retardant from above.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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