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
• restrain
• encumber
• interfere (with)
• block
• constrain
• hobble
• cramp
• clog
• tie up
• thwart
• frustrate
• fetter
• short-circuit
• handcuff
• 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
• strangle
• derail
• arrest
• confine
• sabotage
• choke
• tether
• barricade
• baffle
• bog (down)
• smother
• blockade
• chain
• suffocate
• leash
• repress
• suppress
• roadblock
• foil
• 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

As previously ordered, Apple will not impede competition. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 1 May 2025

Dugan’s criminal complaint shows she has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest, and obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a federal department or agency. —Kevin Breuninger,dan Mangan, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025

The department in January ordered prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges any state or local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions. —Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025

In a January memo, the department instructed prosecutors to consider criminal charges against state and local authorities who obstruct or impede federal operations. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025