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
The second-eldest of four siblings, Tiedemann grew up a block away from the restaurant, raised by her construction-worker father and chef mother. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 About two minutes later, police said Hughes entered a Dunkin' on the 1500 block of Chestnut Street, but he was refused service for wearing the mask. — Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
More than 600 organizations urge Congress to block an administration plan to rewrite federal law and to resist the president’s unilateral moves to change historic sites. — Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 There remains a strong chance that key aspects of the executive order will be blocked at some stage, possibly as soon as this week. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026 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
  • The neighborhood/area At the edge of Old Key West, Island House Key West is found among the island’s residential cluster of historic homes and inns along Fleming Street.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The strikes accompanied numerous clusters of thunderstorms in the area and across most of southeast Florida, with the heaviest concentrations between Jupiter and just north of Miami, according to AccuWeather’s meteorologists.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The emotional incompatibility of self-care Applebaum said that even those who can overcome the practical obstacles often still struggle to take care of themselves.
    — Elissa Strauss, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of head
Noun
  • Several other wagons used during the days of the cattle drives, including a buckboard and mail wagon, are lined up on either side.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The 28-year-old spent the second half of last campaign on loan at West Ham United, starting 14 league games for the side.
    — Sam Joseph, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of side
Noun
  • July 4 birthed independence but also a dysfunctional confederacy.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • The headstone, a memorial to texans who served the confederacy, was erected in 1964, which is to say the state missed the hundred-year anniversary of the battle itself but did remember to put it up in the year that Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of confederacy
Verb
  • Similar to the Army, SAE was filled with young men from all walks of life; every economic background, faith, and ethnicity were represented.
    — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their vehicles are packed with animal triage kits filled with supplies to treat injuries and wounds.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill
Verb
  • Unlike existing luxury setups, the doors open in unison to reveal a completely open cabin space without a central B-pillar obstructing entry.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The man is being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, according to Windsor Police.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • Defense played a big part in the victory for the Hawks by intercepting three passes.
    — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Iran hit an oil tanker off Qatar’s coast and fired missiles and drones at Jordan, which were intercepted.
    — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
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 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
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 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?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All