impede
im-PEED
/ɪmˈpiːd/
To delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing them; to hinder.
Emphasizes slowing down progress or making movement difficult, rather than stopping it completely.
The story behind the word. Impede comes from the Latin 'impedire,' which literally means 'to shackle the feet.' Imagine trying to walk while wearing heavy iron leg-irons or having your feet tangled in vines.
Word relationships
- hinder: Hinder is a close synonym, but impede often suggests a physical or mechanical slowing down of movement or process.
- hamper: Hamper implies making movement difficult by adding a heavy burden or constraint.
- facilitate: To make a process run smoothly and quickly.
- promote: To encourage the progress or growth of something.
Commonly confused with
- expedite: Expedite is the direct antonym, meaning to speed up the progress of something.
Word family
- impediment (noun): A hindrance or obstruction in doing something.
- impeditive (adjective): Causing hindrance or delay.
Collocations
- impede progress
- impede growth
- severely impede
Example sentences
- "High tax rates and excessive regulations can severely impede economic development." An academic study on factors affecting economic growth.
Memory hook
Think of 'impede' as putting your 'ped' (foot) in a trap, slowing you down. Shackle the feet.
When not to use
Do not use if the path is completely blocked and progress is impossible; use 'obstruct' instead.
Fun facts
- The antonymous root can be found in 'expedite,' which literally means 'to free the feet' (ex-pedis) from shackles so you can run fast!
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