as in impeding
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in filling
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 obstructing
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 intercepting
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blocking
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
While the popularity of these app-blocking devices increases (Novelli said the company has sold more than 60,000), questions remain about their efficacy when the people who buy them are mainly discovering the devices through the internet—and talking about them on social media.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Many of these reminders are automatic, so unsubscribing from emails or blocking texts is a short-term solution.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The same month, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration's use of the National Guard, blocking it from sending troops to Chicago.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
When people were also treated with a long-acting form of an opioid-blocking medication called naltrexone, relapse rates dropped across all settings — to 59% after short-term inpatient care, 46% after long-term inpatient care and 38% for those treated as outpatients.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
The other agents in the car continued to lie when describing the circumstances of the shooting to the FBI, including in a diagram that purported to show three cars in front of the agents’ Tahoe blocking them from moving forward.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
An officer may direct you out of the Express Lanes, too, into the general lanes if there is a collision blocking traffic.
—Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
Millions of dollars in federal funds were set to flow once again to the Hudson River Tunnel Thursday night, after a federal court order blocking the bucks expired.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
While the popularity of these app-blocking devices increases (Novelli said the company has sold more than 60,000), questions remain about their efficacy when the people who buy them are mainly discovering the devices through the internet—and talking about them on social media.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Many of these reminders are automatic, so unsubscribing from emails or blocking texts is a short-term solution.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The same month, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration's use of the National Guard, blocking it from sending troops to Chicago.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
When people were also treated with a long-acting form of an opioid-blocking medication called naltrexone, relapse rates dropped across all settings — to 59% after short-term inpatient care, 46% after long-term inpatient care and 38% for those treated as outpatients.
—Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
The other agents in the car continued to lie when describing the circumstances of the shooting to the FBI, including in a diagram that purported to show three cars in front of the agents’ Tahoe blocking them from moving forward.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
An officer may direct you out of the Express Lanes, too, into the general lanes if there is a collision blocking traffic.
—Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Verb
-
Before a fast, focus on filling up with fiber, fat and protein to sustain your body with energy during low-intake periods.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Thank you to all the countries that are filling the PURL program.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Intentionally obstructing the roadway, especially while impeding emergency access, is a misdemeanor in Minnesota, as is being a public nuisance by blocking the right-of-way.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Brad Lander is headed to trial on May 11, accused of obstructing the use of a foyer at 26 Federal Plaza at a protest over conditions in hidden holding cells where migrants are detained, a judge ruled Thursday.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The first steal — intercepting a second-quarter pass by LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley — tied Harmon with Waggoneer in the UT record books.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Russia suspected of intercepting EU satellites Russian space vehicles have approached European satellites and intercepted their communications, officials believe.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jones belabored this point as well, once again citing packing too much and how a broken zipper can quickly turn messy if security is unable to quickly re-pack your belongings.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Located in Willows, layoffs will hit all positions at the plant, including 60 packing operators, 20 Q-Pack operators and 16 warehouse workers.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His late-season struggles could be partly attributed to jamming his left knee while making a play near the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium on July 25.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Harvey capped the scoring by driving in from the left point and beating Braendli by jamming in the puck on the short side.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hearing the faint sirens of the white police officers who have been monitoring the area for no real reason, Kid attempts to blend into the party by grabbing the mic of the bored DJ—played by Parliament-Funkadelic’s George Clinton—to freestyle.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Or, Stein recommends grabbing a bed/mattress vacuum that is made specifically for the mattress.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some folks left plugging their ears, but enough stayed to crowd the stage.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Holding space for your interests, priorities and life circumstances is good offense, but a crazy job market also requires strong career defense, such as plugging up your financial foundation and skill gaps.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that exposure to chlorine, a flame retardant, at 60 micrograms per gram for 60 minutes or more through inhalation can lead to lung irritation and impaired function.—
Aude Konan,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Firefighters responded with a C-130 air tanker, dropped retardant and created containment lines around the fire.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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