impede crossword puzzle clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! Below, you'll find comprehensive solutions for the crossword clue "impede," designed to help you quickly complete your puzzle. We've compiled answers by letter count, along with clear explanations, to ensure you find exactly what you need.
Solutions for "impede crossword puzzle clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
BAR: To prevent or hinder the entry or exit of someone or something, often by placing an obstruction.
4 Letters
SLOW: To reduce the speed or rate of something, thereby hindering its progress.
5 Letters
BLOCK: To stop or obstruct the passage or movement of something.
6 Letters
HINDER: To create difficulties for (someone or something), resulting in delay or obstruction.
HAMPER: To restrict the movement or progress of.
THWART: To prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.
7 Letters
PREVENT: To keep something from happening or arising.
8 Letters
OBSTRUCT: To block (an opening, path, road, etc.); be in the way of.
9 Letters
FRUSTRATE: To prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.
More About "impede crossword puzzle clue"
The clue "impede" is a classic in the world of crossword puzzles, frequently appearing in various forms. It typically refers to an action or obstacle that hinders, obstructs, or slows down progress. Understanding the nuances of this word is key, as setters often use synonyms with subtle differences in meaning, requiring solvers to consider the context of the entire puzzle.
Words like BLOCK, HINDER, and OBSTRUCT are direct synonyms, focusing on physically stopping or making progress difficult. Others, like SLOW or HAMPER, suggest a reduction in speed or efficiency rather than a complete halt. By recognizing these distinctions, crossword enthusiasts can better narrow down the potential answers when only a few letters are known.
This clue often tests a solver's vocabulary depth, pushing them beyond the most common synonyms to discover less obvious but equally valid alternatives. Paying attention to the length of the required answer, as well as any intersecting letters, is crucial in pinpointing the exact word the puzzle designer had in mind.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: Always check the number of letters required for the answer. This is the most significant filter and immediately eliminates many possibilities, helping you focus on a manageable set of words.
- Consider Synonyms and Antonyms: For clues like "impede," think broadly about words that mean the same thing, but also consider their opposites. Sometimes a clue might be phrased negatively, implying an antonym.
- Use Known Letters Wisely: As you fill in answers, use the intersecting letters to confirm or eliminate possibilities for "impede." If an answer for "impede" doesn't fit with existing letters, it's incorrect.
- Think of Context: Is it a general knowledge crossword, a themed one, or a cryptic puzzle? The type of puzzle can sometimes hint at the specific register or type of word desired.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I quickly find answers for difficult crossword clues?
The fastest way is often to use an online crossword solver like Crosswordanswer.co.uk, typing in the clue and any known letters. You can also break down the clue, look for synonyms, or consider the word length.
What does 'impede' mean in the context of a crossword puzzle?
In crosswords, 'impede' typically refers to actions or things that hinder, block, slow down, or obstruct progress. Clues might use synonyms or phrases like 'hold up', 'get in the way of', or 'slow down'.
Why are there multiple answers for one crossword clue?
Many words have multiple synonyms or related meanings that could fit a single clue. Crossword setters often have several possibilities in mind, and the correct answer depends on the intersecting letters from other clues in the puzzle.