as in impeding
Related Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 blocking
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
It’s made from a soft, breathable fabric that’s comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time, and features secure zippered pockets with RFID-blocking protection in order to prevent digital theft of your information.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2026
The planet is not seen to transit, or pass in front of its star, blocking its light from our vantage point.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
2 July 2026
These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Indigenous nations were also divided, but many aligned with the British in the hopes of blocking the colonists’ westward expansion.
—
Barbara Spindel,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 July 2026
Charred chunks of foam have been floating from the burn site, partially blocking storm drains.
—
Mack Baysinger
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Fans were accused of blocking traffic, fighting in the street, climbing on top of trucks and throwing bottles at police officers.
—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
Nixon then inserted himself into an obstruction of justice case by talking with an aide about blocking the FBI investigation, which eventually led to an impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives and his eventual resignation.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Adjective
The winner was the player who avoided being blocked the longest — a blocking game, a category of strategy game where the objective centers on restricting your opponent’s movement.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
Samsung built that into the S26 Ultra’s display at a hardware level, using a filter layer that acts like tiny vertical blinds sitting inside the panel itself, physically blocking light from travelling sideways.
—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
It’s made from a soft, breathable fabric that’s comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time, and features secure zippered pockets with RFID-blocking protection in order to prevent digital theft of your information.
—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
2 July 2026
The planet is not seen to transit, or pass in front of its star, blocking its light from our vantage point.
—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
2 July 2026
These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.
—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
Indigenous nations were also divided, but many aligned with the British in the hopes of blocking the colonists’ westward expansion.
—
Barbara Spindel,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 July 2026
Charred chunks of foam have been floating from the burn site, partially blocking storm drains.
—
Mack Baysinger
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2026
Fans were accused of blocking traffic, fighting in the street, climbing on top of trucks and throwing bottles at police officers.
—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2026
Nixon then inserted himself into an obstruction of justice case by talking with an aide about blocking the FBI investigation, which eventually led to an impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives and his eventual resignation.
—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocking
Adjective
-
Aircraft were able to complete some retardant drops at Benchmark and Glade Ranch on Sunday before high winds forced them to stop.
-
The conversion is projected to boost retardant capacity to at least 4,500 gallons, up from the BAe 146’s maximum of 3,000 gallons.
Verb
-
Soccer fans have already been filling seats at new businesses like El Tesoro, the Irish Exit, Glide Pizza and the immersive entertainment destination Cosm.
-
After two devastating quakes, first responders were fishermen, doctors and emigres returning from abroad — a grassroots campaign filling a government void.
Verb
-
Within Venezuela, activists have accused authorities of obstructing relief efforts.
-
The passenger rail service said that eight cars and two locomotives derailed after striking the dump truck that was obstructing the crossing.
Verb
-
The barrage was part of a larger Ukrainian attack over a broad swath of Russia, with air defenses intercepting 555 drones, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense – including over the Sea of Azov.
-
Second-year cornerback Nohl Williams stood out on defense, breaking up two passes and intercepting Mahomes in the end zone during Day 1 of minicamp.
Adjective
-
Two months after another frustrating playoff finish, the 76ers now look ahead with a reasonable expectation to be among the conference favorites next season.
-
Residents said the latest delay is especially frustrating because the pool also remained closed for much of last summer after a water line ruptured while it was being filled.
Verb
-
Alysa Guffey More than 50 people gathered in 90-degree heat to protest welcoming data centers to Indianapolis before packing the public assembly room on the second floor of the City-County Building.
-
Not as messy as chicken wings but packing the same flavorful punch, buffalo chicken dip is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser.
Verb
-
In 1976, Miami Marine Stadium’s bicentennial fireworks show drew a causeway-jamming capacity crowd of 15,000 while a downtown Miami parade attracted about 5,000 people.
-
Russia responded by outfitting the glide bombs with Kometa satellite navigation modules that are more resistant to jamming.
Verb
-
Americans are grabbing their passports and fleeing the country in hopes of leaving the nation’s problems behind.
-
Swanson argues those behind-the-scenes improvements have done more to modernize logistics than many of the industry’s headline-grabbing automation projects.
Cite this Entry
“Blocking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocking. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
