as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impediment
For many — especially free-spirited hippies, wooks, and the whole wide jam-band universe — the dogmatic style of traditional programs can be a turnoff, an impediment to accessing a path forward.
—
David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Critics have argued that drive-throughs are an impediment to disabled pedestrians and parents with children, who are forced to navigate between cars when drive-through traffic blocks pedestrian access.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
Campbell said his background, including controversies, wouldn’t be an impediment.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Even with clear and enforceable regulatory requirements, contractors view these regulations as an impediment to their goals.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impediment
David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Critics have argued that drive-throughs are an impediment to disabled pedestrians and parents with children, who are forced to navigate between cars when drive-through traffic blocks pedestrian access.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
Campbell said his background, including controversies, wouldn’t be an impediment.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026
Even with clear and enforceable regulatory requirements, contractors view these regulations as an impediment to their goals.
—Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediment
Noun
-
Flying the morning of an important presentation may not raise any obvious red flags, but that tight scheduling leaves no margin for unexpected obstacles, like weather events or mechanical issues.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The obstacles are mutable and insidious.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Years of inflation, high mortgage rates and skyrocketing home prices have made buying a home a major hurdle for many Americans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Barrios said the money for vehicle maintenance could help pay to replace the city’s Chollas Operation Yard, which can’t be rebuilt or expanded because of environmental hurdles.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His charges were reduced to misdemeanor obstruction of government administration and harassment, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Valmir Krasniqi, 35, the manager at Positano, a Bay Ridge restaurant prosecutors say has ties to organized crime figures, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in Brooklyn Federal Court Wednesday, and could face up to six years behind bars based on sentencing guidelines.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Holding said his face was burning with embarrassment.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Online care lowers barriers, reduces embarrassment and helps people who might otherwise stay silent for years.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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From her perspective, expanding connectivity across South Carolina has been part of a broader effort to reduce barriers for communities historically left out of economic and educational participation.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
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The semi-autonomous barrier is intended to prevent vehicles from fleeing at high speeds from the checkpoint, US Customs and Border Protection has said.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediment. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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