as in impeding
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in filling
to close up so that no empty spaces remain
block up the opening in the wall where a window once was
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstructing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intercepting
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blocking
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Among his proposals is to reform the California Environmental Quality Act to enable only government prosecutors to sue, thus blocking the ability of private individuals and organizations to stop or delay new housing development.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Pirro wants an appeals court to overturn Boasberg’s decision blocking the subpoenas.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 May 2026
While its effectiveness at blocking radiation and extremely lightweight nature are the most compelling details of this material, its stretchiness could lend to even more benefits.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 1 May 2026
The changes come after several high-profile problems involving autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, including Waymo vehicles stalling and blocking intersections during a blackout in December.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The government in recent months has imposed restrictions including blocking or throttling popular apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Per Pro Football Focus, the 25-year-old allowed seven pressures over 129 pass-blocking snaps.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The winner was the player who avoided being blocked the longest — a blocking game, a category of strategy game where the objective centers on restricting your opponent’s movement.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Wild were without defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first time in the playoffs after he was injured blocking a shot in the second period of Game 5 in Dallas.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 1 May 2026
Among his proposals is to reform the California Environmental Quality Act to enable only government prosecutors to sue, thus blocking the ability of private individuals and organizations to stop or delay new housing development.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Pirro wants an appeals court to overturn Boasberg’s decision blocking the subpoenas.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 May 2026
While its effectiveness at blocking radiation and extremely lightweight nature are the most compelling details of this material, its stretchiness could lend to even more benefits.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 1 May 2026
The changes come after several high-profile problems involving autonomous vehicles in San Francisco, including Waymo vehicles stalling and blocking intersections during a blackout in December.
—Kenny Choi, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The government in recent months has imposed restrictions including blocking or throttling popular apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Per Pro Football Focus, the 25-year-old allowed seven pressures over 129 pass-blocking snaps.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
Certain graphics on this page may be affected by ad-blocking software.
—Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Verb
-
Carranza said filling empty positions will require better salary and training, and perhaps more pay bumps when new hires hit yearly milestones.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Chinese EVs leave everyone else in the dust, we’re told, with infotainment that makes your smartphone look like a StarTac, range numbers that would make a turbodiesel Audi weep, and charging that might be even faster than filling up with gas, depending on the size of your tank.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Separately, Comey was federally indicted last year on suspicion of making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional proceedings, but those charges were later dismissed.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.—
Darrell Smith
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Air defenses in the United Arab Emirates engaged multiple aerial threats Monday, intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran, officials said.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
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The costs of intercepting could also balloon if targets are engaged over populated areas, with drones, defensive munitions and falling debris all posing risks to people and property on the ground.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Even fifty years later, my mom has iconic looks and lots of opinions, especially when packing for a vacation.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
Bradford advises packing one blanket per family member, along with a couple of extras.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Darnell Nurse was committed almost entirely to jamming Gauthier’s shooting lane from the right circle.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
-
Throughout the weekend, some fans have shared videos showing audience members turning their screenings into full-on dance parties, jamming along to Jackson's classic songs in the theater.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s also significant doubt among Republicans as to whether DeSantis will even accomplish the goal of grabbing at least four more seats.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The shortage started grabbing headlines early last month.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The bee should be eliminated first before plugging the hole.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
5 May 2026
-
The Hawks should have more chemistry now that most of them have a full NHL season under their belts, and plugging Stenberg into that would fit like a puzzle piece.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
On top of a hill with a view of the canyon off Olinda Drive, about a dozen firefighters trained their eyes on the wildfire as helicopter after helicopter dropped water and large tanker planes made retardant drops.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Crews are focusing on protecting homes and building fire lines, with help from heavy equipment like bulldozers and support from federal air tankers dropping water and fire retardant from above.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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