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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of impede If passed, such a law could be viewed as impeding federal immigration action, given the executive order from President Trump, according to Harris, which could lead to further issues for the state. —

Danny Tow, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2025 But Scott’s experience did not impede the ambitions of future Black TV hosts. —

Anita M. Samuels, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025 Steps designed to impede access are clearly not in the public interest. —

Mandy Taheri, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 Edison also violated multiple state safety regulations and impeded investigations, according to utility regulators. —

Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for impede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impede

Verb

Driving the news: The freezing of State Department funds is hindering local groups from helping refugees who arrived shortly before the executive order, says Adam Clark, the executive director of World Relief Durham.

— Zachery Eanes, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025
Beauty struck a rare sour note during its quarterly report, cutting its full-year guidance in light of a January that the retailer says was hindered by the LA wildfires and fewer makeup tutorials on TikTok.

— Sara Salinas, CNBC, 7 Feb. 2025