Definition of obstacle
: something that impedes progress or achievement Mosquitoes were a great obstacle to the building of the Panama Canal. … elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles. — Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field
From the M-W Editors
Examples of obstacle in a Sentence
He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect.
They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened.
Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent.
She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.
Recent Examples of obstacle from the Web
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But first an obstacle course of sorts had to be navigated.
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Three major obstacles stood in the way of their recovery.
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Such schemes are an obstacle to the success of a technology that some see as a promising solution to economic problems.
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The project faces obstacles and skepticism on multiple fronts.
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There was a giant military obstacle course, a rock climbing wall and a Home Depot workshop for kids.
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The biggest obstacle to the tribes gaining recognition was a racist state official by the name of Walter A. Plecker.
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In honor of Red Nose Day, American Ninja Warrior aired a very special episode in which celebrities competed on the obstacle course.
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Music, local craft breweries, food trucks, bounce houses, obstacle course, games, prizes, giveaways.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obstacle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
OBSTACLE Defined for English Language Learners
obstacle
playDefinition of obstacle for English Language Learners
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: something that makes it difficult to do something
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: an object that you have to go around or over : something that blocks your path
OBSTACLE Defined for Kids
Learn More about obstacle
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See words that rhyme with obstacle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obstacle Spanish Central: Translation of obstacle Nglish: Translation of obstacle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of obstacle for Arabic speakers
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