1
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
bought a block of stocks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in heads
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
a more conservative block within the political party
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in coalitions
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection
a block of oil-producing nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in fills
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 obstructs
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
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 blocks
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
The terms adorable, quaint, and charming come to mind with Canton, North Carolina, where everything a small town needs is packed into a few blocks.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also hypothesized that a large portion of the world’s water comes from asteroids, and that the building blocks of life came to Earth on space rocks.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Other organic molecules not previously detected were also found that, on Earth, lead to life's building blocks.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Wilson earned her third DPOY award after leading the league in blocks, whereas Thomas finished in the top five in steals and rebounding.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Design details were inspired by Ferrari engine blocks and crank cases.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Reality check All matter is made of basic building blocks called atoms.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Friday, officers responded to a shots fired call near Beverly and Carolyn streets, about two blocks east of Interstate 57 in south Jacksonville, police said in a news release.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
Caitlin White, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Typically, these formations have porous rock layers overlaid by impermeable rock that blocks upward movement.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
This drug blocks those signals, so the nerves have a better chance to regrow.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone and softens the cervix to prepare the body for expulsion.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that helps a woman's body maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Soviet-era apartment blocks line leafy boulevards and glass towers cluster in the financial district.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Microsoft blocks Israeli military unit from cloud services Microsoft blocked an Israeli military unit from using some of its technology after finding it was used to surveil Palestinians.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
This way, Palace vacate the back post for Guehi, who can make a free run because Wharton blocks his marker, Diouf.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
This was the third straight game that FIU punter Trey Wilhoit suffered a mishap, including two blocks and one punt returned for a touchdown.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
The terms adorable, quaint, and charming come to mind with Canton, North Carolina, where everything a small town needs is packed into a few blocks.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also hypothesized that a large portion of the world’s water comes from asteroids, and that the building blocks of life came to Earth on space rocks.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Other organic molecules not previously detected were also found that, on Earth, lead to life's building blocks.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Wilson earned her third DPOY award after leading the league in blocks, whereas Thomas finished in the top five in steals and rebounding.
—Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Design details were inspired by Ferrari engine blocks and crank cases.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
Reality check All matter is made of basic building blocks called atoms.
—Dipangkar Dutta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Friday, officers responded to a shots fired call near Beverly and Carolyn streets, about two blocks east of Interstate 57 in south Jacksonville, police said in a news release.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Deep below the surface of the earth, disaster strikes when a rock falls and blocks their route back to the surface.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
Typically, these formations have porous rock layers overlaid by impermeable rock that blocks upward movement.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
This drug blocks those signals, so the nerves have a better chance to regrow.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone and softens the cervix to prepare the body for expulsion.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, the hormone that helps a woman's body maintain the lining of the uterus during pregnancy.
—Dan Morrison, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Soviet-era apartment blocks line leafy boulevards and glass towers cluster in the financial district.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Microsoft blocks Israeli military unit from cloud services Microsoft blocked an Israeli military unit from using some of its technology after finding it was used to surveil Palestinians.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025
This way, Palace vacate the back post for Guehi, who can make a free run because Wharton blocks his marker, Diouf.
—Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocks
Noun
-
If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Its placement in the rankings highlights how coastal areas of China invest in large-scale infrastructure to support their dense urban and industrial clusters.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are obstacles to the creation of a drone wall, namely its financing, management — given its cross-border nature and the diversity of airspace security laws — as well as issues to do with technical integration, according to Miriam McNabb, editor in chief of the online Dronelife publication.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Farley called out declining investment in skilled trades, poor productivity, and bureaucratic hurdles as key obstacles facing the essential economy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By December, Seattle taxpayers were paying a hefty $4,200 a month per empty room — at a time when thousands of Seattleites were without a roof over their heads.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The rounded piston heads, slotted into a rounded chamber to match, offered higher efficiency with less energy lost to heat while fuel is combusted before being sent out as exhaust.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, the group said other elements required broader agreement among Palestinian factions.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Despite outward shows of unity, Cuba’s Communist Party is riven with factions that are frequently reported to be at odds.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With the help of industry unions, Schiff and Friedman are attempting to pull together bipartisan coalitions within their respective chambers to pen bills proposing such an incentive.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The party that believes in redemption, second chances, and big coalitions.—
Marie Alvarado Gil,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The series begins before Gein has ever killed, in 1945, as dawning awareness of death camps in Europe fills the air with sadism and conspiracy thinking.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Then vice-captain Theo Hernandez in the summer and so in addition to his apparent timelessness on the pitch, Modric fills the leadership gap left by Simon Kjaer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, Ward swiftly intercepts the food steal, much to Grogu's disappointment.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocks. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share