impede

verb

im·​pede im-ˈpēd How to pronounce impede (audio)
impeded; impeding
Synonyms of impede

transitive verb

: to interfere with or slow the progress of
impeder noun

Synonyms of impede

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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
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.
That is, using AI to fix problems and do work that slows and impedes the creative process. — Mark Schilling, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026 Pain that lasts for more than a day and impedes your regular activities is. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026 White was charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers or employees. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Advertisement But other allies of Jackson say an overcautious campaign is impeding the Bernie Sanders progressive and stalwart labor champion from connecting with voters. — Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impede

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impede was circa 1595

Rhymes for impede

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Browse Nearby Words

impedance bridge
impede
impedient impediment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impede. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

impede

verb
im·​pede im-ˈpēd How to pronounce impede (audio)
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

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