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
Assemblyman David Alvarez, D-Chula Vista, has introduced Assembly Bill 35, with the goal of streamlining the state’s myriad regulatory impediments to the projects funded by the proposition, CalMatters reported.
—
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 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
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
The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediments
Noun
-
Yards with narrow passages, tight corners, and many obstacles like trees, shrubs, or garden beds, or steep inclines make the use of a riding lawnmower, especially a traditional riding mower, more tedious than helpful.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Parents may go to great lengths to remove obstacles from their child’s path, unintentionally hindering the development of life skills1.—
Jazmin Towe,
Parents,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But there is optimism in the community that both these hurdles can be cleared.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
-
There are a host of legal hurdles Trump will have to overcome to keep this one alive.—
Jack Greiner,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An explanation as to how the FAA is ensuring awareness of existing regulations on markings and notifications of obstructions, and how the agency will work with others to share those policies.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Crews advanced hose lines to the second floor and had difficulty gaining access because of obstructions behind the bedroom door, according to the release.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are no barriers to entry in sports, nobody is priced out of participation.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The absolute security that George felt about his own social position, plus some liberal impulse stirring within him, led him to want to take down the barriers that the Mardi Gras krewes—social organizations of immense prestige—had erected against Jews, at least on behalf of the Lemanns.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impediments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediments. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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