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 Makary’s tenure has also been tumultuous, marked by personnel drama, departures of longtime staff, and controversy over political pressure impeding the FDA’s scientific process. —

Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 8 May 2026 State and federal agencies don’t track data around vitamin K injection refusal or subsequent bleeding, which impedes their ability to quantify and track outcomes, including death. —

Duaa Eldeib, CNN Money, 8 May 2026 The origin of the drones was unclear, but the French news agency AFP quoted Vyacheslav Chaus, governor of the neighboring Chernihiv region in Ukraine, as saying that Russian craft have been constantly hovering over the area and impeding the fire response. —

Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 8 May 2026 Let go of whatever impedes your progress. —

Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

Similar artificial intelligence legislation had failed in previous years due to concerns from the governor’s office that regulations would hinder innovation in the state.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
De-escalate the Crisis Narrative The word crisis is splashed across every headline regarding mental health, but Redding warns that overusing this term can actually hinder our ability to help.

— Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026