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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
James sealed the game with two free throws with 11.1 seconds left and an emphatic block of Alperen Sengun with eight seconds remaining, keeping the Lakers ahead by four. —Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025 Both were found with gunshot wounds in the 4200 block of Welling Avenue in northwest Charlotte, a CMPD press release said. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
Similar legislation was separately blocked in the Senate by Republican Sen. James Lankford last year. —Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025 Mara is a two-way force who can score in a variety of ways and pass like a point guard while also blocking shots, altering others and keeping an untold amount from being taken. —Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 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
  • Amyloid plaques play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s when small clusters gather at synapses in the brain and interfere with the nerve cells’ ability to communicate.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • There was another notable cluster in 2012 in people staying in tent cabins in Yosemite.
    — Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.
    — Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.
    — Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 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
  • This April 3, 2025, photo taken at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, shows fragments of the Japanese Zero fighter that a kamikaze pilot flew into the side of the USS Missouri during the Battle of Okinawa on April 11, 1945.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The Jersey City Police Department is taking the lead on the investigation since the helicopter crashed on the Jersey City side of the river, Fulop told WABC on Thursday.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of side
Noun
  • 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
  • Adams wanted to align the young Republic with Great Britain, while Jefferson favored a confederacy with France.
    — Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Aug. 2024
Definition of confederacy
Verb
  • Jury selection for Karen Read's retrial on murder and other charges in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, resumes Thursday with just one more seat to fill.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Start cuing up some Matlock reruns to fill all that dead airtime because the Sole Survivor has already been crowned.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of fill
Verb
  • 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.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Yoon has repeatedly accused Lee’s Democratic Party of abusing its parliamentary majority status to obstruct his agenda, impeach senior officials and slash the government’s budget bill.
    — Time, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • There were 10 rockets in total, and Israeli forces only intercepted half.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In the early evening of March 23, authorities intercepted two more migrant smuggling vessels, the first near the jetty in Mission Beach and the second several miles off the coast.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of intercept

Phrases Containing block

Browse Nearby Words

bloc
block
blockade
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/block. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on block

Nglish: Translation of block for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All