impede

UK: /ɪmˈpiːd/ US: /ɪmˈpid/ ,(im pēd′)

Inflections of 'impede' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

impedes

v 3rd person singular

impeding

v pres p

impeded

v past

impeded

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pede /ɪmˈpid/   v. [~ + object] , -ped•ed, -ped•ing. 

1. to cause to slow down in movement or progress:
   A lumber shortage impeded construction of the new house.

See -ped-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•pede  (im pēd′), v.t., -ped•ed, -ped•ing. 

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

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

im•ped′er, n. 
im•ped•i•bil•i•ty  (im pē′də bil′i tē, -ped′ə-), n.  im•ped′i•ble, adj. 
im•ped′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

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

Antonyms

advance, encourage.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impede / ɪmˈpiːd/ verb

1. (transitive) to restrict or retard in action, progress, etc; hinder; obstruct

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin impedīre to hinder, literally: shackle the feet, from pēs foot

imˈpeder noun

imˈpedingly adverb