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impede

[im-peed]
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verb (used with object), im·ped·ed, im·ped·ing.

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

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RELATED WORDS

retard, slow, thwart, stymie, deter, delay, curb, interfere, disrupt, hamper, block, discomfit, clog, bar, rattle, dam, stop, stonewall, freeze, faze

Nearby words

  1. impeccable,
  2. impeccant,
  3. impecunious,
  4. impedance,
  5. impedance matching,
  6. impediment,
  7. impedimenta,
  8. impedor,
  9. impel,
  10. impellent

Origin of impede

1595–1605; < Latin impedīre to entangle, literally, to snare the feet. See im-1, pedi-
ANTONYMS FOR impede
advance, encourage.
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Related forms

Synonym study

See prevent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for impedes

British Dictionary definitions for impedes

impede

verb

(tr) to restrict or retard in action, progress, etc; hinder; obstruct
Derived Formsimpeder, nounimpedingly, adverb

Word Origin for impede

C17: from Latin impedīre to hinder, literally: shackle the feet, from pēs foot
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
Word Origin and History for impedes

impede

v.

c.1600, back-formation from impediment, or else from Latin impedire "impede, be in the way, hinder, detain," literally "to shackle the feet" (see impediment). Related: Impeded; impedes; impeding.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper