as in obstacles
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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Recent Examples of impediments
Stuck in the desert somewhere just south of the American border, Zendaya’s desperate, unreasonably chipper addict is trying to get a duffel bag filled with who knows what from Chihuahua back to California, but her off-road route is filled with impediments.
—
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the main impediments to buying an electric vehicle in the US was the availability of charging infrastructure.
—Kyle Stock, Bloomberg, 8 Apr. 2026
There is no problem in America that will be solved by fewer impediments to mob rule.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Dasgupta notes that regular physical activity improves sleep quality by promoting deeper sleep stages, while limiting late-day naps helps prevent impediments to nighttime rest.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Also consider other impediments such as tariffs and customs duties; where the parts of your product are manufactured; product and component licensing; and use of open-source technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
Wiener said his bill would rectify those impediments.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Burns typically happen during the week and not on holidays, to prevent impediments to residents’ lives.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But whereas many abundance advocates typically talk about removing government impediments to growth, such as zoning restrictions, Rodrik focusses on government interventions.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026
One of the main impediments to buying an electric vehicle in the US was the availability of charging infrastructure.
—Kyle Stock, Bloomberg, 8 Apr. 2026
There is no problem in America that will be solved by fewer impediments to mob rule.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026
Dasgupta notes that regular physical activity improves sleep quality by promoting deeper sleep stages, while limiting late-day naps helps prevent impediments to nighttime rest.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026
Also consider other impediments such as tariffs and customs duties; where the parts of your product are manufactured; product and component licensing; and use of open-source technology.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
Wiener said his bill would rectify those impediments.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Burns typically happen during the week and not on holidays, to prevent impediments to residents’ lives.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 5 Nov. 2025
But whereas many abundance advocates typically talk about removing government impediments to growth, such as zoning restrictions, Rodrik focusses on government interventions.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
-
Making a robot run is not a simple task and requires precise balance control, terrain handling (uneven surfaces), endurance, navigation, and anti-interference capabilities (noise, obstacles, etc).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Football matchups featuring the Pac-12 legacy schools make loads of sense but face several obstacles.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Collins announced on Monday that after two years of legal hurdles and negotiations, the project to take over and transform InfoWars is finally getting off the ground.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Developers face a gauntlet of zoning rules, permitting delays, high construction costs, expensive property taxes and local political hurdles, all of which slow or shrink projects before they ever get built.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.—
Adam Bluestein,
Scientific American,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Address a gopher threat proactively through weed control and laying down barriers.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Virtual psychology removes outdated barriers by merging medical scrutiny with convenience, helping individuals move from uncertainty toward greater clarity.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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