IMPEDE Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impede' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block , hinder , and obstruct . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

Q: When could 'block' be used to replace 'impede'?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hinder' instead of 'impede'?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

Q: In what contexts can 'obstruct' take the place of 'impede'?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. 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

impede

verb

im-ˈpēd

Definition of impede next

as in to hinder

to create difficulty for the work or activity of the construction work impeded the smooth running of the office for several months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb impede contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impede are block, hinder, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When could block be used to replace impede?

The meanings of block and impede largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is it sensible to use hinder instead of impede?

The synonyms hinder and impede are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can obstruct take the place of impede?

In some situations, the words obstruct and impede are roughly equivalent. 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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of impede Israelis halted imports to Palestinian civilians, denied or impeded 90% of humanitarian movements between northern and southern Gaza last month, and imposed onerous new requirements for trucks carrying critical supplies, the letter says. —

Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2024 Agricultural irrigation and power plant operations could also be significantly impeded, and if past mussel infestations are any indication, golden mussels could also severely affect boating and recreation by encrusting docks, engines and steering equipment. —

Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Despite this, conservation groups have opposed the I-40 boundary as a border impeding wolf recovery. —

John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024 The special counsel also charged Trump and two employees with impeding the federal investigation. —

Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

Brendan Carr, the GOP commissioner often tipped as Trump’s likely pick for a new FCC chair, frequently decries the current rules as addressing a threat—providers outright blocking an app or hindering its performance—that no longer exists while giving the commission too much power over providers.

Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Too many irrelevant messages act as sludge, hindering engagement.

Harshit Jain, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024