Impede
/ɪmˈpiːd/
verbB2
Definition
Impede means to block or make something difficult to do or happen. When you impede something, you create a problem or obstacle that slows it down or stops it from moving forward easily. It is often used to talk about stopping progress, movement, or development.
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See It in Action
To slow down or make progress difficult
- •Heavy rain can impede the construction work.
- •His injury impeded his ability to play soccer.
- •Traffic accidents often impede the flow of cars on the highway.
To create obstacles or barriers that prevent easy movement
- •The fallen tree impeded the hikers on the trail.
- •Poor communication can impede understanding between people.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "impede" like "stop," but not completely stopping—more like slowing down or making it harder
- ✓Picture a small rock in a river that makes the water flow slower or change direction
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to run but someone gently pulls your arm to slow you down
- ✓Sounds like "im-PEED" → imagine a speed limit sign that tells you to go slower, so your speed is "impeded"
- ✓Think of a traffic jam: cars cannot move fast because of many obstacles, so their movement is impeded
- ✓NOT like "block" (which stops completely), "impede" means slowing or making more difficult, not full stop
- ✓NOT like "help" (which makes easier), "impede" makes things harder or slower
- ✓NOT like "delay" (which is about time), "impede" is about making progress or movement harder, not just late
Try Other Words
- •Hinder: to make something more difficult or slow (Use when focusing on difficulty rather than physical stopping)
- •Obstruct: to block or close a way (Use when something physically blocks a path)
- •Delay: to make something happen later than planned (Use when focusing on time, not difficulty or obstacles)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "im-" means "in" or "into," often used to give a negative meaning here (making something harder)
- •Root: "pede" comes from Latin "ped" meaning "foot" (related to movement or stepping)
- •Origin: From Latin "impedire," meaning "to shackle the feet," or "to prevent movement"
- •Historical development: Originally meaning to tie someone's feet to stop walking, now means to slow or stop progress generally
- •Modern usage: Used in many contexts like traffic, work, communication, and personal abilities to describe slowing or blocking progress
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when something impeded your plans? How did that feel?
•How can understanding the word "impede" help you solve problems when things are not moving forward?
Fill in the blanks
1.Heavy snow can impede ___ on roads, making travel dangerous.
2.The loud noise impeded her ability to ___ on the test.
3.Unlike a full stop, to impede means to ___ or slow down progress.
4.When a machine is broken, it can impede ___ in a factory.
5.He tried to run fast, but the mud on the ground impeded his ___.
6.If poor communication impedes understanding, people may ___ mistakes.
7.The police set up barriers that impeded the ___ of the crowd.