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

According to the law firm, the assault charge has been dropped but Martinez still faces one count of conspiracy to impede a federal officer. —Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 3 July 2025

Nelson received a reprimand from the city’s ethics board in April for impeding the investigation, and the City Council passed resolutions last summer limiting his ceremonial powers. —Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

The process is extraordinarily intensive and invasive, because the loss of brain function impedes many physiological processes. —Lindsey Breitwieser, The Conversation, 1 July 2025

Furthermore, the definition of disabled is often too narrow: more than one third of non-working adults classified as able-bodied by SNAP report having a disability that impedes their ability to work. —Emily Eisner, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025