A lack of sleep would certainly impede my performance on the exam and I did not want to do anything to hinder my chance at a good grade. What is the relationship between the words impede and hinder and how does it influence their meaning?

They are synonyms; their meanings are exactly the same.

They are cognates; their meanings are connected because they developed from the same Greek root words.

They are synonyms; their meanings are nearly the same.

They are antonyms; their meanings are the exact opposite of each other.