Impeded

To have hindered or obstructed the progress or movement of someone or something; to have delayed or prevented something from happening. Often implies a slowing down or making something more difficult than it otherwise would have been. This can be physical, such as a road blocked by a fallen tree, or abstract, such as a plan being slowed by unexpected complications.

Impeded meaning with examples

• Heavy rainfall severely impeded travel across the mountain passes, forcing many vehicles to turn back and significantly delaying their planned journeys. The resulting congestion was substantial.
• The lack of funding greatly impeded their research efforts, preventing them from purchasing necessary equipment and recruiting enough qualified personnel, thereby hampering the investigation.
• Her fear of public speaking impeded her ability to present her ideas effectively in meetings, which she knew was hindering her career advancement in the company.
• Construction on the new bridge impeded local traffic flow, leading to significant delays for commuters during rush hour and frustrations among the drivers.
• The outdated software and server issues impeded the company's ability to process online orders, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and a negative impact on sales.