blocks 1 of 2

plural of block
1
2
3
as in heads
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

blocks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of block
1
2
3
as in intercepts
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 blocks
Noun
At the same time, the shrinking economy, new limits on internet access, blocks on popular messaging apps and concerns over state surveillance are adding to a wider sense of disquiet that is already starting to be reflected in polling data. Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026 The two signboards are just a couple blocks from Monument Circle, at the intersections of Capitol Avenue and Vermont Street, and New York and Illinois streets. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026 One unfolded a few blocks from the couple’s stores. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026 Multiple young people were in the hospital early Sunday morning following two separate shootings blocks and hours apart in Chicago's Bronzeville community. Asal Rezaei, CBS News, 7 June 2026 This confinement blocks heat from escaping the zone where the laser hit the target. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026 Connor Desiron 10 kills, 5 digs, 4 blocks. Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026 Saturdays, spanning six blocks. Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026 Martinez lived about three blocks from the grocery store where the stabbing occurred, and just around the corner from his alleged killer, cops said. Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026
Verb
Anything Too Tall or Too Small Avoid placing anything on a coffee table that blocks the view of the surrounding furniture. Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 8 June 2026 In addition to Virunga National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve blocks the west and the north from the spread of the disease toward the big city of Kisangani, and downstream of the Congo River all the way to [the capital of] Kinshasa. Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 June 2026 Shortly after, police responded to reports of a man attacking workers in the 2500 block of South Dayton Way, just blocks away from the double stabbing. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 3 June 2026 No security feature blocks every attack forever. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 During one of their early meetings, Castillo got on the whiteboard and described a basic pass protection in which every lineman slides over and blocks a gap. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 1 June 2026 If the court blocks the order, the new federal Schedule III framework for qualifying medical marijuana products could be delayed or dismantled. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 The acid also blocks tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production that can become overactive due to the body’s inflammatory response during a shingles infection. Alyssa Sparacino, Glamour, 29 May 2026 That clause could act as a backdoor way to establish rent control in Chicago, a regulation state law blocks the city from establishing. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocks
Noun
  • Even if that worked for Palm Beach County, there are no similar millionaire clusters in poor counties to pick up the slack.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
  • What grabbed my attention were the intriguing, foot-long violet flower clusters known as panicles hanging amidst the slender, dark green leaves.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • The winner in November will lead the country's most populous state, facing a large deficit and other obstacles, including the state's high cost of living, homelessness and wildfire risk.
    Marisa Lagos, NPR, 6 June 2026
  • Despite the ongoing ups and downs of the housing market, including economic cycles and affordability obstacles including post-pandemic high interest rates, low inventory, and soaring prices, women – particularly Millennials – have continued to show resiliency.
    Kathy Collins, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Guests can also order customized barrel heads, or lids, to take home.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • Some can be seen with their hands tied behind their backs, kneeling with their heads touching the floor.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • Sensing this once-great dynasty is in decline, the outback’s most powerful factions — rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders, and billionaire miners — move in for the kill, with billions of dollars at stake.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 June 2026
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass took office four years ago with a reputation as a coalition builder — someone capable of bringing competing factions together to achieve a common goal.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • In the South, coalitions are securing legally-binding Community Benefits Agreements to ensure that the green energy transition includes union contracts and local hiring.
    Sarita Gupta, Time, 2 June 2026
  • Paloma Valencia, a candidate for the conservative Centro Democrático party who was a protégé of right-wing former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and pitched herself as a centrist who could build coalitions, was forecast as a candidate who could advance to the second round.
    Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC news, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • But sidle up to the bar, eerily silent until the restaurant quickly fills with chatter, and order a stiff drink before settling into a table and digging into heaping plates of pasta, milanesa, and a Caesar salad that always hits the spot.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
  • Nilles proved herself both fierce and precise behind the kit, unpacking every nuance of Peart’s playing, from her fluid waves of tom-tom fills to her snappy hi-hat work.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
  • Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Butcher then goes rogue and attempts to spread the supe-killing virus from the top of Vought Tower, but Hughie (Jack Quaid) intercepts him.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 20 May 2026
  • Advertisement Breaking down the fight and its outcome When Sam intercepts them, Adam steps in to confront him, attempting to create time for Rosie and Grace to escape.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocks. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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