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

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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 Bird-friendly design measures have been effectively mandated with no impediment to development in cities including New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and locally in Evanston, Lake County and Skokie. — Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Israel’s example challenges the argument outlined by Bo Becker and other researchers at the Center for Policy Research that an insufficient home market size is a key impediment to scaling up young European companies. — Andrew McAfee, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026 Here, too, Sussman assembles a formidable catalogue of impediments. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 There’s no spark between Gleeson and Frei, and the biggest impediments to the characters’ relationsip are self-imposed (Ned takes himself too seriously). — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impediment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impediment
  1. obstacle
  2. hurdle
  3. obstruction
  4. embarrassment
  5. barrier
Noun
  • Amazon Watch, a nonprofit focused on environmental protection and Indigenous rights, also welcomed Lula’s victory while warning of legislative obstacles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Still, around 42% of marketers (linked in the Mediaocean research above) say that getting good quality data (or being able to access it) is a major obstacle, and only 10% have all their ad technology systems fully integrated.
    — Ivan Guzenko, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • That's good news for home shoppers, but may not be enough to overcome the affordability hurdles keeping many prospective homebuyers out of the market.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • On Wednesday, the Republican House speaker acknowledged his party’s hurdles while stumping for congressional candidate Kevin Lincoln in Stockton in the Central Valley.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Noun
  • Riverdale In Riverdale, three candidates filed to run for mayor, including former Trustee Cassandra Riley-Pinkney, who was appointed interim mayor after former Mayor Lawrence Jackson was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in November.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t hide files or shut down computers; doing so would look like obstruction.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of obstruction
Noun
  • Also, keep extra toilet paper visible, your hand soap full and some air freshener on the counter, so everyone can use the bathroom without embarrassment or disgust.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The league is a farce and an embarrassment to our country, not thier country.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrassment
Noun
  • One of the key issues has been cultural and religious barriers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Israel regularly imposes restrictions on movement across the Palestinian occupied territory with some 925 checkpoints, roadblocks, earth mounds and other barriers.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of barrier

Browse Nearby Words

impedes
impediment
impedimenta
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Cite this Entry

“Impediment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impediment. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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