impediment

noun

im-ˈpe-də-mənt How to pronounce impediment (audio)
Definition of impedimentnext
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult tough going for the burros on the canyon trail, even without the added impediment of heavy loads

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 impediment Immediately upon the signing of this MoU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. — Npr Staff, NPR, 18 June 2026 Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026 Immediately upon the signing of this MOU, the United States of America will begin the removal of its naval blockade and any disturbances or impediments against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will fully end the naval blockade within 30 days. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 17 June 2026 In a report dated June 15, the system contractor — LAX Integrated Express Solutions — said LAWA project impediments include airport landscaping work, approval delays and impacts from other projects. — Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediment
  1. obstacle
  2. hurdle
  3. obstruction
  4. embarrassment
  5. barrier
Noun
  • But even Johnson is not immune to the bruising consequences of dealing with a president who critics say treats Congress as an obstacle, instead of an equal — frequently flexing his power through executive orders.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • To directly address these technical, safety, and regulatory hurdles, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the international energy technology firm Eni have established a new commercial engineering services company named RH3OVA.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
  • There are still some hurdles to get Trout to the game this year.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Definition of hurdle
Noun
  • He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Amber Moree, 21, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with accessory after the fact of murder, obstruction of justice and misprision, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.
    — Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of obstruction
Noun
  • Goalkeeper Matt Freese’s costly blunder in the 57th minute was an embarrassment that gifted the Belgians a third goal to all but seal the elimination loss.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Either way, the development is a public embarrassment for Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, whose antagonistic, foot-dragging attitude in negotiations with his young core finally cost him dearly.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of embarrassment
Noun
  • The laminate reinforces the glass to create a shatter-resistant barrier, preventing shards of glass from flying out during extreme weather.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Staffers wheeled the barriers over from the adjacent University of Washington baseball complex.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of barrier

Browse Nearby Words

impedes
impediment
impedimenta
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on impediment

Nglish: Translation of impediment for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All