BLOCK Synonyms: 241 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of block are hinder , impede , and obstruct . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When might 'hinder' be a better fit than 'block'?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

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

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

Q: When would 'obstruct' be a good substitute for 'block'?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; 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

block 1 of 2

noun

ˈbläk

Definition of block

as in cluster

a number of things considered as a unit bought a block of stocks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in head

slang the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in side

a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in confederacy

an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a block of oil-producing nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

block

2 of 2

verb

as in to fill

to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to obstruct

to prevent passage through by filling with something one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to intercept

to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb block contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of block are hinder, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When might hinder be a better fit than block?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can impede take the place of block?

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When would obstruct be a good substitute for block?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; 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

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.

Recent Examples of block

Noun

He got stuffed by double-team blocks and turned away by larger Toronto wings, who manhandled the slighter forward in his attempts to create downhill momentum. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the 1200 block of Raintree Boulevard. — Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Justice Department sued all 15 of the federal judges in Maryland over a standing order that temporarily blocks the immediate removal of immigrants challenging their deportations. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The problem is that, unlike Netflix, Disney+ does not offer a way to block individual titles, or to adjust content ratings. — Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for block

Recent Examples of Synonyms for block

Noun

Now, after the top 25 are picked, conversations can be had about whether the committee wants to re-rank any cluster of teams next to each other.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
North Indiana Avenue Apartments A cluster of apartment buildings that face each other in the 100 block of North Indiana Avenue show the growth of multifamily housing along major corridors in northeast Kansas City in the earlier 1900s.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of cluster

Noun

Icy weather, snowstorms, obstructive foliage and rugged terrain along the wild Rockies were just some of the obstacles Ben Nickell and Anne Koski faced on a 10-year journey to climb the highest point in each of Idaho’s 44 counties.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 20 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstacle

Noun

When he was fatally shot, Kridner and Abernathy said Garza had raised the golf club above his head and swung it toward Kridner.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Betsy Smith, the head of the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit which operates the park, cheered the passage of the bill.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

That knack for making music that sounds more like an irruption in the environment than an assemblage of instruments carries across the six sides of vinyl that comprise From the Toolkit of Lovers.

— Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
Neither side has indicated when the temporary truce would end.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of side

Noun

Seneca said the renaming violated the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, which was signed by President George Washington and the Haudenosaunee confederacy promising perpetual peace and friendship.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
July 4 birthed independence but also a dysfunctional confederacy.

— Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Definition of confederacy

Verb

Building 1,600 stores at once Once the leases are signed, Spirit has to fill them.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Its magical forest is filled with talking animals, tree-worshipping mystics, scheming functionaries, and the Dowager Governess (Carey Mulligan), an enchantress who commands an army of uniformed coyotes.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of fill

Verb

The mollusks can form dense colonies that clog pipes, obstruct water flow and foul boat motors.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
During the investigation, it was alleged that Stewart, who is a resident, returned to the property and was later taken into custody for obstructing a peace officer.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstruct

Verb

The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Russia also intercepted and destroyed 443 Ukrainian drones overnight, the Russian defense ministry said.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of intercept

Browse Nearby Words

bloc

block

blockade

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of block

noun

verb

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Synonyms of block

noun

verb

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