impede

[im-peed]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impede ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), im·ped·ed, im·ped·ing.

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

Origin of impede

1595–1605; < Latin impedīre to entangle, literally, to snare the feet. See im-¹, pedi-

Related formsim·ped·er, nounim·ped·i·bil·i·ty

[im-pee-duh-bil-i-tee, -ped-uh-] /ɪmˌpi dəˈbɪl ɪ ti, -ˌpɛd ə-/, nounim·ped·i·ble, adjectiveim·ped·ing·ly, adverbun·im·ped·ed, adjectiveun·im·ped·ing, adjectiveun·im·ped·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms for impede

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impede ON THESAURUS.COM

slow, delay, check, stop, block, thwart.

Synonym study

See prevent.

Antonyms for impede

advance, encourage.

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

Related Words for impedes

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

Examples from the Web for impedes

Contemporary Examples of impedes

It is erroneous, insulting to the mostly well-meaning officers in this country, and impedes constructive discussion, and change.
Are We All Racial Profilers?
Lorie Fridell
July 29, 2009

Historical Examples of impedes

No artillery should be moved with the troops; it delays and impedes them.
The Life of Gordon, Volume II
Demetrius Charles Boulger
Good is that which is useful to us; evil, that which impedes the possession of good.
The World's Greatest Books--Volume 14--Philosophy and Economics
Various
He obstructs and impedes business by every means in his power.
Memoirs of the Duchesse de Dino v.1/3, 1831-1835
Dorothy Duchesse de Dino
We become afraid of them and fear is what impedes us most of all in life.
Adrienne Toner
Anne Douglas Sedgwick
We give up nothing but that which impedes the inflow of godly forces.
The Hive
Will Levington Comfort

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

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.