obstruct

verb ob·struct \ əb-ˈstrəkt , äb- \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: obstruct in a Sentence

Definition of obstruct

transitive verb

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.

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obstructive

play \əb-ˈstrək-tiv, äb-\ adjective or noun

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obstructiveness

noun

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obstructor

play \əb-ˈstrək-tər, äb-\ noun

See obstruct defined for English-language learners

See obstruct defined for kids

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 of obstruct from the Web

If lawyers can obstruct future co-operation with the British over Galileo on security grounds, that sends a deeply unhelpful message for working together in other areas.

— The Economist, "A Brexit row over Galileo could damage broader co-operation on defence," 7 June 2018
In a January memo to Mueller published this weekend, Trump's lawyers argued that the president can't obstruct justice.

— USA TODAY, "The Supreme Court decision that didn't decide much," 4 June 2018
The legal memo arguing a president couldn’t obstruct justice under the constitution was written before Giuliani joined Trump’s legal team.

— Fortune, "Trump Says He Has 'Absolute Right' to Pardon Himself as Mueller Standoff Drags On," 4 June 2018
Traylor is facing several charges, including assault with intent to murder, assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer and firearms offenses, according to online records in Wayne County Circuit Court.

— john wisely, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit police chief blasts judge in case of man who allegedly cut tether," 26 May 2018
Watching the demolition of large buildings and sports arenas is strangely entertaining – assuming something isn’t obstructing your view.

— michelle r. martinelli, For The Win, "Watch NASCAR track's 150-foot scoring tower come crashing down," 24 Apr. 2018
Test Results: Step-In Height View 98 Photos Blind Spots, Visibility, and Obscured Roadway The Type R’s front roof pillars and large exterior mirrors might obstruct crosswalks, but its front visibility is slightly ahead of rivals.

— eric stafford, Car and Driver, "2018 Honda Civic Type R," 22 Feb. 2018
Will the view of the larger video board be obstructed?

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "TCU’s new athletic director touts stadium expansion as bigger than football," 8 Feb. 2018
Did the set-up obstruct your view, or prevent you from doing your job in any way, shape, or form?

— emily mahaney, Glamour, "What It's Really Like to Travel With Vice President Mike Pence? One Female Journalist Explains," 26 Jan. 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.

Origin and Etymology of obstruct

Latin obstructus, past participle of obstruere, from ob- in the way + struere to build, heap up — more at ob-, strew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1590

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

obstruct Synonyms

Phrases

cramp one's style, give a hard time;

Synonym Discussion of 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

OBSTRUCT Defined for English Language Learners

obstruct

verb

Definition of obstruct for English Language Learners

: to block (something, such as a pipe or street) so that things cannot move through easily
: to slow or block the movement, progress, or action of (something or someone)
: to be in front of (something) : to make (something) difficult to see

OBSTRUCT Defined for Kids

obstruct

verb ob·struct \ əb-ˈstrəkt \

Definition of obstruct for Students

obstructed; obstructing

1 : to block or make passage through difficult

A fallen tree is obstructing the road.

2 : to be or come in the way of : hinder

She was uncooperative and obstructed the investigation.

3 : to make (something) difficult to see The new building obstructs their view of the ocean.

Word Root of obstruct

The Latin word struere, meaning “to build,” and its form structus give us the root struct. Words from the Latin struere have something to do with building. A structure is something that was built, such as a house. To construct is to build by combining parts together. To obstruct is to build an obstacle that blocks a passage or path. Destruction is the process of taking apart something that was built.