impacted

7.2

Tightly stuck in a place so it cannot move, often causing a blockage

adjective
/ɪmˈpæktɪd/

Specialized

: impactado

The dentist said my wisdom tooth is impacted and needs to be removed.

Examples

Her X-ray revealed an impacted molar that had not erupted properly.
The dentist said my wisdom tooth is impacted.
An impacted colon can cause severe discomfort and requires medical treatment.
She has an impacted molar that needs surgery.
Her X-ray revealed an impacted molar that had not erupted properly.
The dentist said my wisdom tooth is impacted and needs to be removed.
An impacted colon can cause severe discomfort and requires medical treatment.

Synonyms

wedged

vsimpacted

4.3

Tightly stuck in a small space so it cannot move

is specific to dental or medical cases and suggests obstruction

appressed

vsimpacted

Specialized

9.9

Held close to another surface so it lies flat

involves being trapped in position and often causing obstruction

Antonyms

mobile

81 2.7

Able to change or move easily

Compounds

impacted fracture

Specialized

1 7.3

A broken bone where one end is pushed into the other

impacted tooth

Specialized

1 5.4

A tooth that cannot come through the gum because other teeth block it

How Stuck

jammed

1 2.3

impacted

Specialized

7.2

stuck

∞ 1.0

free

155 1.0

Surface Forms

impacted positive

Morphology

impacted = impact (semi-transparent) = impact + ed

Formed from the verb 'impact' + -ed; the dental/medical sense 'firmly wedged' is specialized and not fully inferable from the general sense 'to strike/affect'.

Etymology

The word impacted comes from the Latin verb impingere, which means 'to push into', and is the same root behind impact. So an impacted tooth or colon is one that is 'pushed in' or tightly 'packed' and cannot move normally.