impede
/ɪmˈpiːd/To slow down or make it harder for something or someone to move forward or succeed. It does not mean a complete stop — it means creating difficulty or delay.
- Poor roads impede the delivery of goods to rural areas.
- A lack of resources can impede a student's academic progress.
- Bureaucratic red tape often impedes business development.
Adinary Nuance
Impede, hinder, hamper, and obstruct all describe something getting in the way, but they are not identical. "Impede" is the most formal and academic of the group — it is the natural choice in IELTS essays, research writing, and official reports. "Hinder" is nearly as close in meaning but sits at a slightly more conversational register. "Hamper" suggests a messy, tangling kind of slowdown — like wet clothes hamper your movement — while "obstruct" implies a more solid, deliberate physical or legal barrier. If you want to sound precise and academic, choose "impede"; if you need something more neutral and everyday, "hinder" is a safe swap.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Cản trở
- Spanish
- Obstaculizar
- Chinese
- 阻碍
- Japanese
- 妨げる
- Korean
- 방해하다
Etymology
From Latin "impedire," meaning to shackle or entangle the feet, built from "in-" (in) and "pes" (foot). The word entered English in the late 16th century and kept its sense of something blocking forward movement.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'impede' a formal word? Can I use it in an IELTS essay?
- Yes, 'impede' is formal and academic. It is a strong word choice for IELTS Writing Task 2, especially in essays about development, policy, or social issues.
- What is the difference between 'impede' and 'hinder'?
- 'Impede' is slightly more formal and precise than 'hinder.' Both mean to slow down progress, but 'impede' is the better fit in academic and written English, while 'hinder' is more natural in everyday speech.
- What is the noun form of 'impede'?
- The noun form is 'impediment,' meaning a thing that slows or blocks progress. Example: 'Poor health is an impediment to learning.'
- Does 'impede' mean a complete stop or just a slowdown?
- 'Impede' means to make something harder or slower — it does not necessarily mean a complete stop. If you want to describe a total block, 'obstruct' or 'prevent' is more accurate.