Synonyms for impediment

noun

1. Something that impedes

   hindrance, obstacle, obstruction, barrier, block, bar, clog, stop, encumbrance, difficulty, check, retardation, stoppage, restriction, stricture, restraint, blockage, prohibition, inhibition, hurdle, wall, barricade, trammel, shackle, handicap, disability, disadvantage, deterrent, detriment, delay, traffic hazard, traffic jam, manacle, chain, tie, hitch, snag, setback, drag, burden, load, dead weight, drawback, stumbling block, fault, flaw, rub, roadblock*, holdup*, catch-22*, catch*, cramp*, bottleneck*, gridlock*, millstone around one's neck*, red tape*, monkey wrench in the machinery*, crimp*, joker*; see also barrier.

   Antonyms help*, aid, assistance.

2. An obstruction in speech

   speech impediment, speech defect, speech disorder, difficulty, block, stutter, stuttering, stammer, stammering, lisp, lisping, lallation, lambdacism, halting, hairlip, cleft palate, aphasia, dysphasia.

impediment applies to anything that delays or retards progress by interfering with normal action a speech impediment; obstruction refers to anything that blocks progress or some activity as if by stopping up a passage your interference is an obstruction of justice; hindrance applies to anything that thwarts progress by holding back or delaying lack of supplies is the greatest hindrance to my experiment; obstacle is used of anything that literally or figuratively stands in the way of one's progress her father's opposition remained their only obstacle; barrier applies to any apparently insurmountable obstacle that prevents progress or access or keeps separate and apart cultural differences are often a barrier to understanding