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

In contrast, a running joke about the Donald obsessing about his hair has a fun, if gleefully nasty payoff in an episode involving Trump getting his head surgically stapled to impede his male pattern baldness.

From Salon

On 13 October, the Biden administration told Mr Netanyahu’s government that Israel must act within 30 days on a series of concrete measures to boost aid supplies, citing US laws which can prohibit military assistance to countries that impede delivery of US humanitarian aid.

From BBC

United States, the Supreme Court ruled that a section of Sarbanes–Oxley, which makes it a crime to tamper with a record or otherwise impede an official proceeding, could not be used to charge scores of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 because, the justices concluded, Sarbanes–Oxley only applies to interference with official documents.

From Slate

Even now, however, a waning gibbous moon will still somewhat impede viewing conditions.

From Salon

The university’s provost said that when he gets an appeal, he has to figure out a way to uphold the concerns of the administration or the complaints, but also not impede on a student’s ability to finish or to submit work or to progress through their degree.

From Slate

Related Words

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