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

The processes designed to protect it have become obstacles to its future. —Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Societal pressure can be heavy for most women, especially Black women, to stay strong and keep moving, regardless of the obstacles that life throws at you, and Vette felt that weight in real time. —Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Jan. 2026

But the single biggest obstacle to a deal — how long the DHS funding patch should last — was hammered out by late afternoon between Democrats and the White House. —David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Jan. 2026

Health insurance costs are another obstacle for older adults on limited incomes. —Alison Saldanha, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 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