Definitions

impediment

[im-ped-uh-muhnt] / ɪmˈpɛd ə mənt /

NOUN

obstruction, hindrance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

bar barricade block blockage catch chain check clog cramp curb delay detriment drag encumbrance fault holdup load manacle millstone prohibition restraint retardation rub shackle stoppage stricture tie trammel wall

WEAK

Catch-22 dead weight retardment road block

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit blessing boon freedom help opening perfection strength

STRONG

allowance clearance liberation permission

WEAK

facilitation furtherance support

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Institutional disaggregation" is an impediment to solving this, says Dawda.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

That could be a serious impediment for Anthropic, whose Claude artificial-intelligence model is widely used by the U.S. military and government contractors.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

He has previously expressed opposition to the sales tax hike, calling it “the biggest impediment to Abenomics.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

“There is no statutory impediment in the U.S. to closing Paramount’s proposed acquisition of WBD,” Paramount said in a regulatory filing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

If a wheel strikes against a stone or other impediment, while in quick motion, it turns the cart with a violent jerk, and often throws them down with more or less injury.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Vocabulary lists containing impediment

"Harrison Bergeron"

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Othello

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!