impede

Impede is a verb that means to hinder, obstruct, or slow the progress of someone or something. It is typically transitive, requiring an object, as in “construction work impeded traffic,” “new regulations impeded the project,” or “the injury impeded his recovery.” In formal writing, impede often describes obstacles to movement, action, or progress rather than a complete halt.

Etymology and origin traces: the word derives from Latin impedire, from in- “in, on” plus pes/pedis “foot,” originally conveying the idea of tying or hindering the feet. It entered English via Old French as empeider or empeidre, and through Middle English as impede. The sense has broadened over time to cover various forms of obstruction beyond physical binding.

Usage notes: impede tends to imply the introduction or presence of difficulties that slow or complicate progress more than outright stopping it. It is commonly used in technical, legal, administrative, and academic contexts. Its synonyms include hinder, obstruct, hampe r, and retard, each with slightly different emphasis: impede emphasizes hindrance to progress; hinder is a general term for causing difficulties; obstruct emphasizes a blockage; retard focuses on slowing pace. The noun form is impediment.

See also: impediment, impediment to progress, impedimental (rare). Impede remains a versatile term for describing impediments to movement, action, or advancement in both physical and abstract domains.