stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ- 
1
: an obstacle to progress
2
: an impediment to belief or understanding : perplexity
Synonyms
Examples of stumbling block in a Sentence
Lack of funds is a major stumbling block to the project.
My plans hit a stumbling block.
Recent Examples on the Web
The latter could be stumbling blocks for low-income people or those with limited financial records, said Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University.
—
Julie Appleby, NPR, 7 May 2024
This is a common stumbling block for chatbots—especially when the requests become more intricate or emotionally charged—as 74% of customers still think chatbots can’t handle complex questions.
—Alok Kulkarni, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumbling block 
Julie Appleby, NPR, 7 May 2024
This is a common stumbling block for chatbots—especially when the requests become more intricate or emotionally charged—as 74% of customers still think chatbots can’t handle complex questions.
—Alok Kulkarni, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumbling block
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stumbling block.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stumbling block
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumbling%20block. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ-
1
: an obstacle to belief or understanding
2
: an obstacle to progress
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