obstruct

verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt 

äb-

obstructed; obstructing; obstructs

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.

obstructive

əb-ˈstrək-tiv 

äb-

adjective or noun

obstructiveness noun

obstructor

əb-ˈstrək-tər 

äb-

noun

Synonyms of obstruct

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• embarrass

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

Last week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent autonomous driving companies a letter saying some cars have been driving through emergency scenes, ignoring flares and traffic cones and obstructing ambulances. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Three other juveniles were arrested on various other charges, such as possessing a firearm, trespassing and obstructing an officer. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026

Zabel was cited for two misdemeanor counts, including obstructing a public thoroughfare and public nuisance, both marked as criminal offenses. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026

And further, why those who concealed the documents aren’t being prosecuted for obstructing governmental administration or tampering with evidence. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for obstruct

• abduct
• conduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• aqueduct
• deconstruct
• reconstruct
• bucked
• chucked

Kids Definition

obstruct

verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt 

äb-

1

: to close up by an obstacle

a fallen tree obstructed the roadway

2

: to be or get in the way of : hinder

lying to the police obstructs justice

Medical Definition

obstruct

transitive verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt, äb- 

: to block or close up by an obstacle

veins obstructed by clots