Synonyms of impede

impede

verb

im-ˈpēd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hinder
• hamper
• obstruct
• embarrass
• inhibit
• stymie
• handicap
• disrupt
• delay
• encumber
• interfere (with)
• restrain
• block
• constrain
• hobble
• cramp
• clog
• tie up
• fetter
• thwart
• short-circuit
• handcuff
• frustrate
• hold back
• shackle
• trammel
• stifle
• hog-tie
• give a hard time
• curb
• tie
• bind
• retard
• retain
• cramp one's style
• manacle
• rein
• hold up
• brake
• check
• balk
• derail
• strangle
• arrest
• sabotage
• confine
• tether
• choke
• barricade
• bog (down)
• baffle
• smother
• blockade
• chain
• suffocate
• leash
• repress
• roadblock
• foil
• suppress
• muzzle
• mire
• halter
• stump
• hedge (in)
• hem (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• facilitate
• help
• assist
• aid
• open
• clear
• liberate
• make way
• release
• promote
• encourage
• free
• loosen
• unclog
• smooth
• unplug
• unstop
• further
• untie

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

Recent Examples of impede

There’s also a 24-hour gym, a light and airy place with multiple cardio machines, weight training equipment, and floor space for yoga, stretching, or floor exercises (and enough room to do so without impeding on anyone else’s space). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Garces Perez faces one count of assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer. — Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Sarah Thompson, president of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, drew attention to the importance of recognizing AI’s ability to simultaneously facilitate education efficacy while impeding other forms of learning. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Throughout Europe, there are rising industry pressures, which include inflation, shipping costs and energy prices, which are impeding growth. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026