impede

Synonym Chooser

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

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 impede He was scheduled for trial in March on 15 counts, including felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025 That figure includes more than 600 defendants charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2025 Some 600 participants were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding police, including almost 200 rioters who carried weapons and a handful convicted of seditious conspiracy. The Editors, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025 Schubert was convicted of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, the Bradenton Herald previously reported. Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impede 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede
Verb
  • Just like last year, the warmer storms could hinder significant water storage even with reservoirs across the state remaining high.
    Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has also announced that all foreign aid (except to Egypt and Israel) is , which will hinder critical development assistance.
    Maha Hosain Aziz, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • During major emergencies that communication can be hampered by issues such as limited radio connectivity, wind noise or other technical problems.
    Christopher L. Keller, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Both homebuyers and current homeowners are hampered by today’s higher interest rates.
    Diana Olick, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Johnson faced charges of violating her oath of office, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of obstructing police when her trial opened last week.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
  • Musk’s incursions into other agencies have reportedly risked exposing sensitive information to unqualified personnel, and obstructing people’s access to lifesaving medicine.
    Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trump called on Budde and the church to apologize for embarrassing him by allowing Budde to deliver a rare rebuke to his face.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Funny Birthday Messages For Mom Happy birthday to the woman who gave me life – and plenty of embarrassing baby pictures!
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near impede

Cite this Entry

“Impede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impede. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impede

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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