obstacle
noun
ob·sta·cle
ˈäb-sti-kəl 
-ˌsti-
: 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
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-FieldExamples 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
The Arches is designed for all-around off-roading, while the Cliffhanger is geared toward slow, technical obstacles.
—Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
However, the obstacle avoidance technology included in the X10 Pro Omni has a 3D MatrixEye.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Paramount Global executives see the suit as an obstacle to getting approval of a merger agreement with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis was also a product of a Jesuit order in fantastic and decadent decline, often needlessly characterizing orthodox Christian belief as an enemy of charity or an obstacle to the corporal works of mercy.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
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Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
However, the obstacle avoidance technology included in the X10 Pro Omni has a 3D MatrixEye.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 23 Apr. 2025
Paramount Global executives see the suit as an obstacle to getting approval of a merger agreement with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Pope Francis was also a product of a Jesuit order in fantastic and decadent decline, often needlessly characterizing orthodox Christian belief as an enemy of charity or an obstacle to the corporal works of mercy.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
Cite this Entry
“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstacle. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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