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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impediments
And that means freedom from certain impediments.
—
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The horizontal bar chart shows different circumstances, like high cost of living and expensive housing, that Americans identify as impediments to achieving the American dream.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
In fact, the data showed that more than 60 million families don’t play together at all, with those surveyed citing barriers such as work, screen time, household chores, cost and a lack of safe spaces as impediments to fun.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 June 2026
Electric grids, largely designed for centralized fossil generation, are impediments to renewable expansion.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The housing crisis is one of the biggest impediments to prosperity and quality of life in San Diego and California.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
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
Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
The horizontal bar chart shows different circumstances, like high cost of living and expensive housing, that Americans identify as impediments to achieving the American dream.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
In fact, the data showed that more than 60 million families don’t play together at all, with those surveyed citing barriers such as work, screen time, household chores, cost and a lack of safe spaces as impediments to fun.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 June 2026
Electric grids, largely designed for centralized fossil generation, are impediments to renewable expansion.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The housing crisis is one of the biggest impediments to prosperity and quality of life in San Diego and California.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
-
The winner in November will lead the country's most populous state, facing a large deficit and other obstacles, including the state's high cost of living, homelessness and wildfire risk.—
Marisa Lagos,
NPR,
6 June 2026
-
Despite the ongoing ups and downs of the housing market, including economic cycles and affordability obstacles including post-pandemic high interest rates, low inventory, and soaring prices, women – particularly Millennials – have continued to show resiliency.—
Kathy Collins,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Sure, there would be a number of hurdles wrapped up in the process, which would include medical provisions based upon Sorsby's 'mental health disorder' of addiction that his attorneys presented in court as an argument against the NCAA.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
-
Local governments were handed extraordinary funding and broad flexibility to bypass traditional bureaucratic hurdles in the name of speed and compassion.—
Michele Steeb,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Not just crashes, but obstructions, emergency scene conflicts, unexpected stops in travel lanes and response-time performance.—
David Roberts,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Of the photons of light that avoid clouds of dust and other deep-space obstructions to reach our planet, most don’t make it through Earth’s thick atmosphere, let alone through a telescope’s loss-prone optics.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
So using these as natural barriers obviously has an enormous significance — enormous importance.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
-
The department is also advancing plans for the South Delta Gates project, which would replace the temporary rock barriers with permanent operable gates.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 5,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
