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
Wiener said his bill would rectify those impediments.
—
Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Human and workers’ rights, environmental protections, child labor laws, and community standards are general impediments to the profit motives inherent in multilateral free trade agreements.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
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
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the courts have emerged as one of the main impediments to Trump administration policy.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
There are impediments, of course.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite the economic boon wind and solar can provide for rural economies, county governments across the state have begun placing significant impediments and outright bans on their development.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Guterres called for safe access for humanitarian workers, the removal of red tape and other impediments, the rebuilding of Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and funding to meet the immense needs.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Human and workers’ rights, environmental protections, child labor laws, and community standards are general impediments to the profit motives inherent in multilateral free trade agreements.
—Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025
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
With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the courts have emerged as one of the main impediments to Trump administration policy.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
There are impediments, of course.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Despite the economic boon wind and solar can provide for rural economies, county governments across the state have begun placing significant impediments and outright bans on their development.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Guterres called for safe access for humanitarian workers, the removal of red tape and other impediments, the rebuilding of Gaza’s shattered infrastructure and funding to meet the immense needs.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
-
But the obstacles are overwhelming.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Why cruise lines conduct safety drills Safety drills, also called muster drills, are not the brainchild of a sadistic cruise ship officer, trying to place obstacles between cruise guests and their sunbathing and cocktails.—
Erica Silverstein,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The 35% analyst upside projection appears optimistic given the structural hurdles.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Financing hurdles In April, the City Council created a special tax district to help pay for the Stitch.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Check slopes for bare spots, holes and obstructions, like rocks, fences or poles.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Flat roofs with parapets (side walls), stepped roofs, saw-tooth roofs, and roofs with chimneys and other obstructions on top can collect snow in an unbalanced manner, the agency said.—
Bailey Allen,
The Providence Journal,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At this scale, electrons start tunneling through barriers meant to contain them, causing current leakage even when devices are off.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Blake Snell is walking along one of the barriers giving every nearby fan — every one — a fist bump.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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