block 1 of 2

noun

ˈbläk How to pronounce block (audio)
Definition of blocknext
1
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit bought a block of stocks

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in head
slang the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise

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4
as in side
a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

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5
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a block of oil-producing nations

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block

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obstruct
to prevent passage through by filling with something one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to intercept
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb block contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of block are hinder, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When might hinder be a better fit than block?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can impede take the place of block?

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When would obstruct be a good substitute for block?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; however, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

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 block
Noun
The shooting was reported shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of West El Camino Avenue, just east of Morrell Street and a few block west of Northgate Boulevard, according to the Sacramento Police Department. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Were they rebuilt to withstand another storm as powerful as Sandy? Many homes (even whole blocks) on Staten Island were destroyed during Sandy. —James Barron, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
Some legal experts think the administration could still take a lighter hand on blocking mergers and setting proactive regulations for tech. —David McCabe, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Two-way players Drew Peterson and Miles Norris both contributed to that Celtics surge, with Peterson hitting a 3-pointer and blocking a shot at the rim, leading to a fast-break lob dunk by Kornet at the other end. —Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
  1. cluster
  2. obstacle
  3. head
  4. side
  5. confederacy
  6. fill
  7. obstruct
  8. intercept
Noun
  • Using data from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, Buzzo and her team tracked the movement of a dozen star clusters within FCC 224.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The layoffs have also upended other work done by NIOSH to respond to requests like health hazard evaluations, where workplaces can call on the agency for help investigating health issues on the job, like cancer clusters or fungal outbreaks.
    — Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.
    — Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    — John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    — J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Definition of head
Noun
  • This April 3, 2025, photo taken at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, shows fragments of the Japanese Zero fighter that a kamikaze pilot flew into the side of the USS Missouri during the Battle of Okinawa on April 11, 1945.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The Jersey City Police Department is taking the lead on the investigation since the helicopter crashed on the Jersey City side of the river, Fulop told WABC on Thursday.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of side
Noun
  • Americans are divided on that topic, with 55% saying historical figures that supported the confederacy and racial segregation should not be memorialized in a June 2024 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Men were the representatives of their clans and nations in the Haudenosaunee council, which made decisions for the confederacy as a whole.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of confederacy
Verb
  • Early-arriving downtown office workers confronted basements filled with rapidly rising waters.
    — Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Disinformation will fill every gap.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fill
Verb
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    — STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Burroughs was fired from the department and charged with making a false police report, obstructing justice, breaking and entering a motor vehicle and possession of heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • Walking to the front of the funeral parlor, I was intercepted by Donna, Bill and Mary Kay, children of Dan Whitters, my late father’s close friend who had married his cousin Betty.
    — David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Different types of systems are suited to intercepting various types of incoming threats, from slow-moving explosive drones to hypersonic missiles.
    — Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of intercept

Phrases Containing block

Browse Nearby Words

bloc
block
blockade
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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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