block 1 of 2

noun

ˈbläk How to pronounce block (audio)
Definition of blocknext
1
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit bought a block of stocks

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult constant bickering that is only a block to the completion of the project

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in head
slang the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth threatened to knock the block off the jerk next door if he didn't can the noise

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4
as in side
a group of people acting together within a larger group a more conservative block within the political party

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5
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection a block of oil-producing nations

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block

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to fill
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 to obstruct
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 to intercept
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb block contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of block are hinder, impede, and obstruct. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When might hinder be a better fit than block?

While the synonyms hinder and block are close in meaning, hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

In what contexts can impede take the place of block?

In some situations, the words impede and block are roughly equivalent. However, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

When would obstruct be a good substitute for block?

The meanings of obstruct and block largely overlap; however, obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

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 block
Noun
Cincinnati police had responded around 10:40 p.m. that night for a report of a person shot in the 3300 block of Central Parkway, near the Budget Host motel, according to a news release at the time. —David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 July 2025 Environmental Conservation Police with Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the 200 block of Cherry Avenue on July 7, where a 13-year-old and their father were both reportedly bitten by a coyote while in the front yard of their home. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Verb
Otherwise, Beijing is prepared to block the transaction, according to people familiar with the talks cited by The Wall Street Journal. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 It’s formulated with broad spectrum SPF 30 and non-nano zinc oxide to effectively block UVA and UVB rays while acting as a barrier against environmental stressors like blue light. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for block
  1. cluster
  2. obstacle
  3. head
  4. side
  5. confederacy
  6. fill
  7. obstruct
  8. intercept
Noun
  • But the upshot of this is that the cluster of stars is like a stellar pantry to which the black hole occasionally goes to feast.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 July 2025
  • All three converge near 260, creating a clear cluster of supply that OIH must contend with.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 July 2025
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • The branches of the military, which maintain their own communication networks, have their own obstacles.
    — Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • For Superman, that means preventing any of the negatives that do initially arise from becoming obstacles or bandwagon narratives in the press.
    — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    — John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    — J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Definition of head
Noun
  • The only exceptions to that were the two weeks on either side of Easter, when traffic rose less than 1% year over year, the firm's data showed, a sign of the company's strategy of driving sales with holiday and seasonal merchandise.
    — Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
  • The bats are dynamically different to accommodate his different swings from both sides of the plate, Raleigh said Monday before participating in the Derby.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of side
Noun
  • Americans are divided on that topic, with 55% saying historical figures that supported the confederacy and racial segregation should not be memorialized in a June 2024 survey by the Public Religion Research Institute.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Men were the representatives of their clans and nations in the Haudenosaunee council, which made decisions for the confederacy as a whole.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 21 Nov. 2024
Definition of confederacy
Verb
  • Every region in the nation is struggling to fill these crucial seats to keep jets moving efficiently, quickly and safely.
    — Sharon DeVivo, New York Daily News, 15 July 2025
  • His daughter, former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, is running to fill his seat.
    — Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 15 July 2025
Definition of fill
Verb
  • Washington blames Hamas for prolonging the war and obstructing humanitarian aid.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted all 24 missiles and 200 drones while electronically jamming another 203 drones.
    — Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Even when intercepted, Shaheds can overwhelm advanced defense networks, reinforcing the logic behind mass deployment.
    — Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025
Definition of intercept

Phrases Containing block

Browse Nearby Words

bloc
block
blockade
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Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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