impede

[im-peed]

verb (used with object)

impeded, impeding 

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

Other Word Forms

• impeder noun
• impedibility noun
• impedible adjective
• impedingly adverb
• unimpeding adjective
• unimpedingly 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

Immigration advocates cast the change as an attempt by the administration to further impede the legal pathway to citizenship for hardworking immigrants already deeply rooted in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Canceling them would impede government efficiency: Births and deaths in the state would take weeks or months longer to enter the federal system.

From Salon

Too often, he adds, “minoritized identities are asked to speak for their entire identity. But that responsibility impedes the ability to speak for themselves.”

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors allege that protesters used their bodies and cars to impede federal law enforcement from exiting the farm and threw rocks at agents’ vehicles, which broke windows and side-view mirrors.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal grand jury in Santa Ana indicted Adrian Martinez, 20, on the charge of conspiracy to impede a federal officer, after he tried to intervene in an immigration arrest in June.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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