impeded

USAGE SUMMARY

'impeded' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is blocked, hindered, or slowed down. For example, "The snowstorm impeded the progress of the hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Widdop looked set to score only to be impeded by Hodges as he chased his grubber kick, but winger Eto Nabuli was alert enough to take advantage of Vidot's dithering to get his hand to the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Laming agreed with Joyce that halal certification was "essential" for export markets and "shouldn't be impeded" by the "minority campaign" against it.

The Guardian

The practices disclosed by Edward Snowden coupled with the targeted surveillance of Associated Press journalists further impeded the ability for journalists to protect their sources.

The Guardian

It seems that poor old Simon Gerrans was involved, but nobody is seriously hurt or impeded.

The Guardian - Sport

He put the ball well out of reach of Stockdale, striking his 21st goal of the season from close to the penalty spot although Hughton later claimed that his midfielder Beram Kayal had been impeded in the build-up to the goal.

The Guardian - Sport

After the army's partial withdrawal three days later, Rafah's mayor, Majid al Agha, likened the camp to a "disaster zone", with rescue efforts impeded by the Israeli siege so that Rafah was cut off from Gaza's main hospitals.

The Economist

Though in theory retired, he has relentlessly impeded the transition to a less dictatorial type of government.But his plans have backfired.

The Economist

And, like many regulations, a company will often have to invest resources to comply with the letter of the law in ways that are really unnecessary – and impeded their ability to achieve what the spirit of the law was actually intended to achieve.

The Economist

First, the efforts of the Labour government since 1997 to ease social tensions that might otherwise have impeded economic progress.

The Economist

For instance, it raised the retirement age, changed the system of severance pay that had impeded job mobility, and made university students pay for part of their tuition.

The Economist

The delay follows a costly redesign, after local fishermen protested that the road impeded their boats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing obstacles or delays, use "impeded" to add a formal tone and emphasize the significance of the obstruction. This term works well in professional, academic, or news contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "impeded" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "blocked", "slowed", or "held back" are often more appropriate for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "impeded" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb impede, often used in passive constructions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing something being blocked or hindered. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its role in conveying the state of being obstructed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "impeded" functions as a past participle indicating something has been obstructed or hindered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, predominantly in news, formal business, and scientific writing. It carries a formal tone, making it suitable for describing significant obstructions. Alternatives include "hindered", "obstructed", and "hampered", but the choice depends on the specific nuance intended. To best leverage "impeded", use it in formal settings to denote impactful delays or hindrances, while opting for simpler terms in informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindered

This term indicates a comparable action of delaying or obstructing progress, although "hindered" carries a slightly less formal tone than "impeded".

obstructed

Suggests a more direct blockage or barrier, making progress difficult or impossible. "Obstructed" can imply a physical or figurative barrier.

hampered

Implies a restriction or limitation that makes progress more difficult. "Hampered" emphasizes the negative impact on efficiency or effectiveness.

constrained

Indicates that progress is restricted or limited by certain factors or conditions. "Constrained" suggests a more forceful or unavoidable limitation.

inhibited

Suggests that something is being held back or suppressed, preventing its full development or expression. "Inhibited" often refers to psychological or social barriers.

prevented

Indicates that something was stopped from happening or progressing. "Prevented" implies a more decisive action to halt progress.

stalled

Implies a sudden stop or interruption in progress. "Stalled" suggests a temporary halt, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

slowed down

A more general term indicating that the pace of progress has decreased. "Slowed down" is less forceful and can refer to gradual deceleration.

delayed

Indicates that something is postponed or made to happen later than expected. "Delayed" focuses on the timing aspect of obstruction.

retarded

This implies a significant slowing or hindering of development. It is considered a stronger term and is used less frequently due to potentially negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "impeded" in a sentence?

You can use "impeded" to describe something that has been obstructed or hindered. For example, "The heavy rain "impeded" our progress" or "Bureaucratic processes "impeded" the project's completion".

What are some synonyms for "impeded"?

Synonyms for "impeded" include "hindered", "obstructed", "hampered", and "delayed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "impeded by" or "impeded from"?

"Impeded by" is generally used to indicate the cause of the obstruction (e.g., "Progress was "impeded by" the storm"). "Impeded from" is less common but can be used to indicate what is being prevented (e.g., "He was "impeded from" leaving the building").

What's the difference between "impeded" and "inhibited"?

"Impeded" generally refers to the slowing down or obstruction of progress or movement. "Inhibited", on the other hand, suggests a restriction or suppression of an action or feeling. For example, "The crowd "impeded" traffic", whereas "Fear "inhibited" his ability to speak".