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
• interfere (with)
• block
• encumber
• restrain
• clog
• constrain
• tie up
• hobble
• cramp
• short-circuit
• handcuff
• fetter
• thwart
• trammel
• shackle
• hold back
• frustrate
• stifle
• hog-tie
• curb
• tie
• cramp one's style
• bind
• give a hard time
• brake
• manacle
• retain
• retard
• rein
• hold up
• check
• balk
• derail
• barricade
• confine
• strangle
• sabotage
• arrest
• tether
• choke
• bog (down)
• baffle
• 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

Buckley was arrested and charged with obstructing the administration of law, per the EBPD release and public New Jersey Municipal Court records. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

And there are a handful of seats at the top of the upper deck adjacent to the scoreboards that have obstructed views of one corner of the field, so few dozen fans will find a less than premium experience. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

After his release, he was arrested last October in the Bronx for obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, and was released without bail. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Government attorneys wrote that Puig had knowledge of a grand jury proceeding and attempted to obstruct it, satisfying the burden on the first count. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026