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.
Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 The United States appears unwilling to accept any conditions that could impede transit. — CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor in which an individual willfully disobeys or impedes a congressional investigation. — Connor Greene, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 In addition to being under-equipped in terms of intelligence and logistics, Nigeria’s army has had a problem with poor remuneration that impedes counter-terrorism campaigns. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 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 10 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on impede

Nglish: Translation of impede for Spanish Speakers

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