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

These are prescription drugs that obstruct pain pathways in your brain, Mayo Clinic explains. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "Scientists Have Developed a Promising New Migraine Medication—Here's What You Should Know," 11 July 2019 Brady pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstructing an Internal Revenue Service investigation, prosecutors said. — Maria Lovato, BostonGlobe.com, "R.I. woman admits to scamming millions from friends, family — and an elderly man with Alzheimer’s," 11 July 2019 Basic first aid and obstructed airway management will be covered. — courant.com, "Community News For The Enfield Edition," 10 July 2019 Ayoola Ajayi was charged with aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstructing justice and desecration of a body, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office said at a news conference. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, "Man formally charged in murder of Utah college student Mackenzie Lueck," 10 July 2019 Days before his comment, PEOPLE confirmed Beth had been hospitalized in Los Angeles for emergency surgery to clear a throat blockage that was obstructing her airways. — Robyn Merrett, PEOPLE.com, "Dog the Bounty Hunter Star Beth Chapman's Funeral Will Be Streamed Live," 10 July 2019 Reyes' yard waste now completely obstructs a chunk of the sidewalk at the corner of Cascade Avenue and Polk Street. — Hayat Norimine, Dallas News, "Here are the neighborhoods Dallas still has left for storm debris cleanup," 9 July 2019 The Omaha World-Herald reports that although most interstates and state roads have been cleared for use, damaged bridges and unending repairs still obstruct traffic outside major metropolitan areas. — USA TODAY, "Roller coaster ghost town, Alaska heat, rock hyrax pups: News from around our 50 states," 8 July 2019 The judge also found that Teganya had also obstructed justice by committing perjury in his trial testimony. — Fox News, "Rwandan man gets 8 years in jail for lying in asylum bid about role in 1994 genocide," 4 July 2019

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.