block 1 of 2

noun

ˈbläk How to pronounce block (audio)
Definition of blocknext
1
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit bought a block of stocks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in head
slang the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise

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4
as in side
a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

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5
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a block of oil-producing nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

block

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fill
to close up so that no empty spaces remain block up the opening in the wall where a window once was

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to obstruct
to prevent passage through by filling with something one of the patient's arteries was so blocked with fatty deposits that blood flow had been reduced to a trickle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to intercept
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course a thug suddenly stepped out of a doorway and blocked his escape down the alley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb block contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of block are hinder, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When might hinder be a better fit than block?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can impede take the place of block?

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When would obstruct be a good substitute for block?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; however, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of block
Noun
On the north side of the 900 block of East Chicago, a small group of adults stood to watch and offer support. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 Subsequent study, however, revealed it was composed of interwoven tubes, rather than the block-like cells that make up plant tissue. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
If passed, the changes would effectively block DeSantis from using the fund for immigration operations — spending that has transformed what was intended as a hurricane-response reserve into one of the most flexible tools in the Republican governor’s political arsenal. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026 Last month, a federal judge ruled that Sarcone was unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in Albany, New York, and blocked his involvement in an investigation of state Attorney General Letitia James. —Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
  1. cluster
  2. obstacle
  3. head
  4. side
  5. confederacy
  6. fill
  7. obstruct
  8. intercept
Noun
  • Russia used cluster munitions Wednesday in an attack on a busy market in eastern Ukraine that killed seven and wounded 15 others, officials said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Compared with a cluster of states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) with similar demographic and behavioral risk factors, Iowa has among the highest rates of the five most common cancers.
    — Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • When the car finally got moving, protesters began throwing obstacles in its path — Lime scooters, bicycles, seemingly anything that might trigger the car’s automatic anti-collision braking system.
    — Evan Minsker, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
  • While road mentality might be one of Missouri’s biggest obstacles right now, the Tigers still have to focus on the opponent, too.
    — Ally Schiepp, Kansas City Star, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Chinese companies have excelled at rapid deployment in consumer-facing applications and integrating AI into industrial use, said Deepika Giri, head of AI research at market research firm IDC.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • At one point, the individual appears to tilt their head away from a doorbell camera, hold a flashlight in their mouth and attempt to cover the lens with a gloved hand and what looked like part of a plant pulled from the yard.
    — Bradford Betz , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of head
Noun
  • On the winning side of Wall Street were companies that stand to benefit from big spending by Alphabet and others continuing the AI frenzy.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Interestingly, not on the recruitment side.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of side
Noun
  • The conflict escalated into full-scale war between the U.S. Army and a confederacy of tribes led by Miami chief Little Turtle and Shawnee chief Blue Jacket to decide who would keep Ohio.
    — Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 Nov. 2025
  • Long before settlers came to the Americas, there was a confederacy and governance system between three tribes: the Ottawa, the Ojibwe and the Potawatomi.
    — J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Definition of confederacy
Verb
  • These moves fill holes and buy time for prospects, forcing them to meet certain thresholds before advancing through the minors.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2026
  • According to the city, if approved, Peterson would fill a seat previously held by Commissioner Joseph Mitchell, whose term ended in November 2025.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of fill
Verb
  • The person appears to first try obstructing the lens with their gloved hand.
    — Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • This, along with the 911 calls, led to his arrest for allegedly obstructing police.
    — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • Asif said the mosque's security guards tried to intercept the suspect, who opened fire at them and then detonated his explosives among the worshippers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Printing driving directions to contacts’ homes on paper, prepared to eat them if intercepted.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of intercept

Phrases Containing block

Browse Nearby Words

bloc
block
blockade
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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on block

Nglish: Translation of block for Spanish Speakers

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