Is in the way of progress (7)
I believe the answer is:
impedes
'is' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with social activities as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'way of progress' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'way' could be 's' (Compass direction - South) and 's' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'impede' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'in the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for impedes that I've seen before include "checks" , "Hinders, obstructs" , "Obstructs, blocks" , "Hampers" .)