Synonyms

impede

American

[im-peed] / ɪmˈpid /

verb (used with object)

impeded, impeding

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 British

/ ɪmˈpiːd /

verb

(tr) to restrict or retard in action, progress, etc; hinder; obstruct

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See prevent.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of impede

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In real fires, with darkness, smoke, people in various states of injury impeding one another, falls on stairs, counterflows and hesitation, theoretical egress capacities inferred from other evacuations break down.

From The Wall Street Journal

Growth in the segment was impeded earlier in 2025 because the company couldn’t fulfill soaring AI demand fast enough.

From MarketWatch

Arctic ice impedes airborne submarine detection that works in other oceans.

From The Wall Street Journal

The NGOs have until December 31 to register under the new framework, which Israel says aims not to impede aid distribution but to prevent "hostile actors or supporters of terrorism" operating in the Palestinian territories.

From Barron's

And Williamson told the inquiry last week that his ability to plan for closures was impeded by Downing Street.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023