obstruct

verb

ob·struct | \ əb-ˈstrəkt,

äb-\

obstructed; obstructing; obstructs

Definition of obstruct

1 : to block or close up by an obstacle A piece of food obstructed his airway. The road was obstructed by a fallen tree.

2 : to hinder from passage, action, or operation : impede Constant interruptions obstruct our progress. was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators

3 : to cut off from sight A wall obstructs the view.

Other Words from obstruct Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about obstruct

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Other Words from obstruct

obstructive \ əb-ˈstrək-tiv ,

äb- \ adjective or noun

obstructiveness noun

obstructor \ əb-ˈstrək-tər ,

äb- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for obstruct

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of. hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. rain hindered the climb impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. tight clothing that impedes movement obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way. the view was obstructed by billboards block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. a landslide blocked the road

Examples of obstruct in a Sentence

A large tree obstructed the road. A piece of food obstructed his airway and caused him to stop breathing. She was charged with obstructing police. She was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators.

Recent Examples on the Web

Alvarez is due in court on July 10 on one misdemeanor criminal charge of obstructing free passage. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, "Gallery Owner Says Opioid Exhibit, Protest At Purdue Just The Beginning Of 'Spoon Movement'," 26 June 2018 The indictment also accused Loughry of trying to obstruct the grand jury investigation by seeking to influence the testimony of a Supreme Court employee. — Washington Post, "More than 100 arrested in ICE raid," 21 June 2018 Mueller's probe includes a look into whether Trump himself tried to obstruct justice by firing Comey. — chicagotribune.com, "Trump says FBI was 'plotting against' me, casts doubt on potential Mueller interview," 15 June 2018 Mueller’s probe includes a look into whether Trump himself tried to obstruct justice by firing Comey. — Anne Flaherty, Time, "Trump Still Says the FBI Was 'Plotting Against My Election'," 15 June 2018 Both were charged with trying to obstruct Mueller's investigation of Manafort's work in Ukraine. — CNN, "Singapore summit will offer clues to Bolton-Pompeo power dynamics," 10 June 2018 That memo has now been turned over to special counsel Robert Mueller as part of his investigation into whether Donald Trump tried to obstruct the Russia investigation. — Monique Judge, The Root, "#ObstructionGate: Former FBI Official’s Memo Hints That Comey Firing Was Related to Russia Investigation," 1 June 2018 The special counsel's interest demonstrates Sessions' overlooked role as a key witness in the investigation into whether Trump tried to obstruct the inquiry itself. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump pressed Sessions to reverse his recusal from the Russia inquiry," 30 May 2018 The mother was arrested on a charge of obstructing official business. — Cheryl Higley, cleveland.com, "Detroit man charged in chase: North Ridgeville Police Blotter," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obstruct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.