stumbling block

noun

stum·​bling block ˈstəm-bliŋ- 

1

: an obstacle to progress

2

: an impediment to belief or understanding : perplexity

Synonyms of stumbling block

• obstacle
• hurdle
• obstruction
• embarrassment

Examples of stumbling block in a Sentence

Lack of funds is a major stumbling block to the project.

My plans hit a stumbling block.

Recent Examples on the Web

No fee will be required to sign these players, but wage demands can be a stumbling block. — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The main stumbling block involves getting the probe—essentially a large tank of Xenon gas and some solar panels for solar-electric propulsion, and a few small scientific payloads—moving fast enough. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026

This has been a stumbling block for other interstellar projects, such as the apparently defunct Breakthrough Starshot, which wanted to blast tiny sailcraft to Proxima Centauri — part of the Alpha Centauri system — using powerful lasers. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

DeepMind’s journey This isn’t the first time Google has hit a stumbling block on its AI journey. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stumbling block

• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock
• beanstalk
• bedrock

Kids Definition

stumbling block

noun

stum·​bling block ˈstəm-bliŋ- 

1

: an obstacle to belief or understanding

2

: an obstacle to progress