IMPEDE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impede' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block , hinder , and obstruct . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

Q: When could 'block' be used to replace 'impede'?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hinder' instead of 'impede'?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

Q: In what contexts can 'obstruct' take the place of 'impede'?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. However, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way. // the view was obstructed by billboards

impede

verb

im-ˈpēd

Definition of impede next

as in to hinder

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the construction work impeded the smooth running of the office for several months

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How does the verb impede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block, hinder, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When could block be used to replace impede?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is it sensible to use hinder instead of impede?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can obstruct take the place of impede?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. However, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of impede HostArmada puts all its eggs in the virtual machine/virtualization basket, which may impede you from deploying Windows-specific applications, building custom hardware configurations, or running GPU-intensive tasks. —

Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 8 Mar. 2026 The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean. —

Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026 Maintaining a vigorous, healthy lawn is a good way to impede weed establishment and problematic perennials like dandelions. —

Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 Allergens such as pollen or dust mites can cause severe inflammation of the nasal tissues – again impeding proper function of the nasal cycle. —

Adam Taylor, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

Trump urged Democrats to reopen DHS because the partial shutdown hinders the government’s ability to combat terrorists.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
In fairness, the Jayhawks’ offense and overall explosiveness may have been hindered by the Big 12’s glass court, with players and coaches from many teams complaining about the footing throughout the event.

— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026