impede

verb

im·​pede im-ˈpēd 

impeded; impeding

transitive verb

: to interfere with or slow the progress of

impeder noun

Synonyms

• clog
• cramp
• embarrass
• encumber
• fetter
• hamper
• handcuff
• handicap
• hinder
• hobble
• hog-tie
• hold back
• hold up
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• manacle
• obstruct
• shackle
• short-circuit
• stymie
• tie up
• trammel

Choose the Right Synonym for impede

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of impede in a Sentence

He claims that economic growth is being impeded by government regulations.

The soldiers could not impede the enemy's advance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies. —Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025

One small shortcoming of the Xplorer 2.3 design is that the extended floor of the rooftop tent appears to impede the full opening of the left side gullwing hatches, making that side a little cramped. —New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025

Beyond its direct financial impact, electricity theft undermines the broader goals of sustainability by impeding the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy future. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin impedire, from in- + ped-, pes foot — more at foot

First Known Use

circa 1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impede

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• indeed

Kids Definition

impede

verb

im·​pede im-ˈpēd 

impeded; impeding

: to interfere with the movement or progress of

impeder noun

Etymology

from Latin impedire "to hinder, get in the way of," literally, "to bind or hold the feet of," derived from im-, in- "in, into" and ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian