stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ- 
1
: an obstacle to progress
2
: an impediment to belief or understanding : perplexity
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
Digital taxes are proving a stumbling block in Washington’s negotiations with major trading partners.
—
Semafor Events, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
The stumbling block to making use of this information, however, has been than environmental factors like air pollution and humidity can also affect the composition of sebum, meaning that sampling from the skin may not provide reliable information.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
The over-the-air offering was a stumbling block in negotiations with Comcast, which balked at paying carriage fees to CHSN for programming some viewers could get for free.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Rashford is under contract with United until June 2028 and earns about £365,000 ($495,000) a week, wages which could prove to be a stumbling block from most clubs outside of the Premier League.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
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Semafor Events, semafor.com, 30 June 2025
The stumbling block to making use of this information, however, has been than environmental factors like air pollution and humidity can also affect the composition of sebum, meaning that sampling from the skin may not provide reliable information.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
The over-the-air offering was a stumbling block in negotiations with Comcast, which balked at paying carriage fees to CHSN for programming some viewers could get for free.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
Rashford is under contract with United until June 2028 and earns about £365,000 ($495,000) a week, wages which could prove to be a stumbling block from most clubs outside of the Premier League.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumbling%20block. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ-
1
: an obstacle to belief or understanding
2
: an obstacle to progress
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