impede

[ im-peed ]

verb (used with object)

, im·ped·ed, im·ped·ing.

1. to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances; obstruct; hinder.

   Synonyms: thwart, block, stop, check, delay, slow

   Antonyms: encourage, advance

impede

/ ɪmˈpiːd /

verb

1. tr to restrict or retard in action, progress, etc; hinder; obstruct

Derived Forms

• imˈpedingly, adverb
• imˈpeder, noun

Other Words From

• im·ped·er noun
• im·ped·i·bil·i·ty [im-pee-d, uh, -, bil, -i-tee, -ped-, uh, -], noun
• im·ped·i·ble adjective
• im·ped·ing·ly adverb
• un·im·ped·ing adjective
• un·im·ped·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of impede¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin impedīre “to entangle,” literally, “to snare the feet”; im- ¹, pedi- ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of impede¹

C17: from Latin impedīre to hinder, literally: shackle the feet, from pēs foot

Synonym Study

See prevent.

Example Sentences

Yet global data on ship strikes of whales are hard to come by -- impeding efforts to protect vulnerable whale species.

From Science Daily

It would not impede their ability to travel to the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Of those, 590 were charged with assaulting, resisting, impeding or obstructing law enforcement officers, and 645 have been sentenced to some period of incarceration, the department said.

From Los Angeles Times

Twenty-seven were rejected by Israeli authorities and the other four were severely impeded, meaning they were prevented from accomplishing all the work they set out to do.

From BBC

But many say that, in recent times, access to trees on their land has been impeded, often violently by Israeli settlers.

From BBC

Related Words

• block
• curb
• cut off
• delay
• deter
• disrupt
• hamper
• interfere
• retard
• slow
• stymie
• thwart