impediment

[im-ped-uh-muhnt]

noun

1. obstruction; hindrance; obstacle.

   Synonyms: check, encumbrance, bar
   Antonyms: encouragement, help

2. any physical impairment or condition that impedes normal, fluent, or easy speech; a speech disorder.

3. Chiefly Ecclesiastical Law.,  a bar, usually of blood or affinity, to marriage.

   a diriment impediment.

4. Usually impediments. impedimenta.

impediment

/ ɪmˈpɛdɪmənt /

noun

1. a hindrance or obstruction

2. a physical defect, esp one of speech, such as a stammer

3. law an obstruction to the making of a contract, esp a contract of marriage by reason of closeness of blood or affinity

Other Word Forms

• impedimental adjective
• impedimentary adjective
• nonimpedimental adjective
• nonimpedimentary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impediment¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin impedīmentum; impede, -ment

Synonym Study

See obstacle.

Example Sentences

That’s helped make clear the structural advantages or impediments in each state.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But as long as Fang remained in Beijing, he would be an impediment to China’s diplomatic goals.

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The conservative outlet reported that some in the White House are worried that the transportation secretary could be an “impediment” to the GOP’s effort to maintain control of Congress.

Read more on Salon

While disparaging advocates for the marginalized as impediments to winning the votes of white “moderates,” the New Democrats embraced corporate America.

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The main impediment is the browser analyzes each page based from taking image screenshots and tries to figure out where to click on each site’s interface.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• barrier 
• bottleneck 
• burden 
• defect 
• deterrent 
• difficulty 
• disadvantage 
• drawback 
• flaw 
• handicap 
• hazard 
• hitch 
• hurdle 
• inhibition 
• obstacle 
• red tape 
• restriction 
• setback 
• snag 
• stumbling block