Synonyms of obstruct

obstruct

verb

əb-ˈstrəkt 

1

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• embarrass
• inhibit
• stymie
• handicap
• disrupt
• delay
• restrain
• block
• interfere (with)
• encumber
• clog
• constrain
• tie up
• hobble
• cramp
• thwart
• short-circuit
• handcuff
• fetter
• frustrate
• trammel
• shackle
• hold back
• stifle
• hog-tie
• curb
• tie
• bind
• cramp one's style
• give a hard time
• brake
• manacle
• retain
• retard
• rein
• hold up
• check
• balk
• derail
• strangle
• confine
• barricade
• sabotage
• arrest
• choke
• tether
• baffle
• bog (down)
• blockade
• smother
• chain
• leash
• repress
• suffocate
• foil
• roadblock
• suppress
• muzzle
• stump
• mire
• hedge (in)
• halter
• hem (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• facilitate
• help
• assist
• aid
• open
• clear
• liberate
• make way
• promote
• release
• encourage
• free
• unclog
• unplug
• loosen
• unstop
• smooth
• further
• untie

2

as in to block

to prevent passage through by filling with something

at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

• block
• occlude
• congest
• fill
• clog
• stop (up)
• jam
• choke
• dam
• flood
• gum (up)
• plug (up)
• stuff
• clot
• overwhelm
• pack
• cork
• gridlock
• inundate
• fur
• bung
• silt
• stopper
• stopple
• swamp
• spile
• glut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open (up)
• clear
• free
• unplug
• unblock
• excavate
• hollow (out)
• unclog
• unstop
• scoop (out)
• lighten
• empty

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb obstruct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block, hinder, and impede. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," 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

When can block be used instead of obstruct?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is hinder a more appropriate choice than obstruct?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

When could impede be used to replace obstruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obstruct

The man was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, obstructing law enforcement and committing a felony while out on bail. — Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Last week, federal prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case against labor leader David Huerta, who was arrested during the first day of summer immigration raids in the Southland and charged with obstructing a federal officer. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Watson was imprisoned in Greenland for five months in 2024 after being arrested on a Japanese warrant over charges of obstructing a whaling ship in 2010. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

The path to collective bargaining will be slow, dark and obstructed by institutions that benefit from dividing players by team, conference, sport, class year and state law. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026