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

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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 Under Biden, the U.S. government had intensified a policy that began during Trump’s first term: using the power of export controls to limit the number of advanced chips that China could obtain to impede its attempts to reach parity with the U.S. on AI. —

Billy Perrigo, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025 Others, however, say stronger gun laws would impede the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 Language barriers, limited familiarity with specialist services, and cultural hesitancy to seek medical advice can also impede access to allergy care. —

Lucy Tu, NBC News, 11 Jan. 2025 States whose growth is impeded by the smothering presence of BLM land are Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. —

Bonner Russell Cohen, Orange County Register, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

As homeowners turn to contractors for the slow process of rebuilding, an immigration policy that deports undocumented workers or forces them underground may hinder the recovery.

— Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
This detachment can hinder the development of relationship security, which is essential for building healthy relationships in adulthood.

— Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025