Impede: meaning, example and synonyms
Impedev. To slow the movement or progress of something by getting in its way.
Example
Thick sediment impeded the river's flow, and over decades the once-navigable channel became a series of shallow, isolated pools.
- Part of speech
- verb
- Synonyms
- hinder, obstruct, hamper, delay
- Antonyms
- facilitate, expedite, advance, aid
- Memory tip
- Latin impedire = "shackle the feet" (ped = foot): it slows you.
Impede is in batch 6. Study it with the rest of the batch, then pass the batch quiz to learn it. No account needed; progress is saved on this device.
Check yourself: Impede in context
Fallen trees ______ the flow of traffic along the mountain road, so the drive that normally took an hour stretched to nearly three.
Answer: impeded. Trees in the road slowed traffic by getting in its way: they impeded it. Gleaned, emulated and brooded don't mean to obstruct movement.
Poor lighting in the old reading room ______ the scholars' work, forcing them to read the faded manuscripts slowly with handheld lenses.
Answer: impeded. Dim light slowed the scholars down, so it impeded their work. Emulated (imitated), overreached (tried too much) and brooded (dwelt gloomily) don't mean to hinder.