obstacle

noun

ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl 

-ˌsti-

: something that impedes progress or achievement

swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road

Lack of experience proved to be an obstacle in her job search.

… elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.

—Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field

Synonyms of obstacle

• hurdle
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• barrier

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 on the Web

Funding constraints and staffing shortages are real obstacles that don’t make headlines the way the big operations do. —Cierra Morgan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Amid detractors, financial obstacles and technical challenges, the construction of the Statue of Liberty becomes a constant battle. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026

Kushner first reemerged on the scene in October to help Witkoff broker the Gaza-Israel peace deal, which was lauded but has made little progress yet toward resolving the underlying obstacles to peace. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

Plans for Florida’s Museum of Black History have hit an obstacle after state House lawmakers left the project out of their budget priorities, casting uncertainty over its funding and future. —Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin obstaculum, from obstare to stand in front of, from ob- in the way + stare to stand — more at ob-, stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obstacle

• obstacle course
• obstacle race

Kids Definition

obstacle

noun

ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl 

: something that stands in the way of progress or achievement : hindrance

drove around the obstacles in the road

didn't let shortness be an obstacle to a basketball career