SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
impediment
noun
Something that obstructs or makes progress difficult.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
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Obstacle to progress
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topA deterrent discourages action; an impediment makes it harder even when someone intends to proceed.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See impediment in use
The locked gate was an impediment to completing the survey.
The backup room introduced another impediment: its storage closet was locked during evening rehearsals.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license