| Main Entry: | dam |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | hold back; block |
Synonyms: |
bar, barricade, brake, check, choke, clog, close, confine, hinder, hold in, impede, obstruct, repress, restrain, restrict, retard, slow, stop up, suppress |
| Notes: | a dam is a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water while damn is used as an expletive meaning cursed, condemned to hell |
Antonyms: |
free, let go, liberate, release, unblock, unclog, unloose |
| Main Entry: | bar |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | secure, usually with a length of material |
Synonyms: |
barricade, block, blockade, bolt, caulk, clog, close, dam, deadbolt, dike, fasten, fence, jam, latch, lock, plug, seal, secure, trammel, wall |
Antonyms: |
loosen, open, unfasten |
| Main Entry: | block |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | obstruct |
Synonyms: |
arrest, bar, barricade, block out, blockade, brake, catch, charge, check, choke, clog, close, close off, close out, congest, cut off, dam, deter, fill, halt, hang up, hinder, hold up, impede, intercept, interfere with, occlude, plug, prevent, shut off, shut out, stall, stonewall, stop, stop up, stopper, stymie, tackle, take out of play, thwart |
| Notes: | a bloc is a group of countries in special alliance while a block is an obstruction, an interruption, or a rectangular area or shape |
Antonyms: |
let go, let up, open, unblock |
| Main Entry: | brake |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | check; stop |
Synonyms: |
bar, block, dam, decelerate, halt, hinder, impede, moderate, obstruct, reduce speed, slacken, slow, slow down, stop |
Antonyms: |
accelerate |
| Main Entry: | choke |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | smother, block |
Synonyms: |
asphyxiate, bar, check, clog, close, congest, constrict, dam, die, drown, fill, gag, garrote, gasp, gibbet, kill, noose, obstruct, occlude, overpower, retard, squeeze, stifle, stop, stopper, strangle, strangulate, stuff, stunt, suffocate, suppress, throttle, wring |
Antonyms: |
release, unblock, unconstrict |
| Main Entry: | close |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | obstruct, seal |
Synonyms: |
bang, bar, block, bolt, button, caulk, choke, clap, clench, clog, confine, congest, cork, dam, exclude, fasten, fill, lock, occlude, plug, prevent passage, put to, retard flow, screen, secure, shut, shut off, shutter, slam, stop up, stopper, stuff, turn off |
Antonyms: |
open, release, unclose, unplug, unseal, unstop |
| Main Entry: | impede |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | obstruct, hinder |
Synonyms: |
bar, block, blow whistle on, brake, check, clog, close off, cramp one's style, curb, cut off, dam, delay, deter, discomfit, disconcert, disrupt, embarrass, faze, flag one, freeze, hamper, hang up, hold up, interfere, oppose, rattle, restrain, retard, saddle with, shut down, shut off, slow, slow down, stonewall, stop, stymie, thwart |
Antonyms: |
advance, aid, assist, facilitate, forward, help, support |
| Main Entry: | prevent |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | keep from happening or continuing |
Synonyms: |
anticipate, arrest, avert, avoid, baffle, balk, bar, block, check, chill*, cool, cork, counter, counteract, dam, debar, defend against, foil, forbid, forestall, forfend, frustrate, halt, hamper, head off, hinder, hold back, hold off, impede, inhibit, intercept, interdict, interrupt, keep lid on, limit, nip in the bud, obstruct, obviate, preclude, prohibit, put a stop to, put an end to, repress, restrain, restrict, retard, rule out, shut out, stave off, stop, thwart, turn aside, ward off |
Antonyms: |
aid, allow, assist, cause, help, let go |
| Main Entry: | stem |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | prevent, stop |
Synonyms: |
arrest, bring to a standstill, check, contain, control, curb, dam, hinder, hold back, oppose, resist, restrain, stay, withstand |
Antonyms: |
abet, aid, encourage, help |
| Main Entry: | congest |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | clog |
Synonyms: |
block, choke, clog up, crowd, dam, filled, overburden, overcrowd, pack, plug |