as in fences
a physical object that blocks the way
there was a big barrier plastered with signs saying "Keep Out" around the trash compactor
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Recent Examples of barriers
Authorities installed concrete barriers outside the federal building following protests.
—
Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
These kinetic barriers restrict rate capability and dramatically reduce usable capacity under fast-charging or cold-climate conditions.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Concrete barriers were set up near the facility on Friday morning, less than a day after a tense protest where federal officers fired pepper balls and surged into a crowd of demonstrators.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Like a ball passing through the barriers of a pinball machine, the water flows among the components as directed by 2,200 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 84 pump stations and 778 water control structures.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
So a lot of those barriers that used to be there were dismantled, at least partly.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the focus of this early work was on issues specific to medicine, such as quality improvement or barriers to medication adherence.
—Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
American Indian and Alaska Native elders face significant systemic barriers to accessing health and social support and have a lower life expectancy than all other populations in the United States.
—Holly J. McDede, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
These kinetic barriers restrict rate capability and dramatically reduce usable capacity under fast-charging or cold-climate conditions.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Concrete barriers were set up near the facility on Friday morning, less than a day after a tense protest where federal officers fired pepper balls and surged into a crowd of demonstrators.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Like a ball passing through the barriers of a pinball machine, the water flows among the components as directed by 2,200 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 84 pump stations and 778 water control structures.
—Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
The report warned copper’s reliance on a handful of countries makes global supplies and prices vulnerable to disruptions, policy shocks, and trade barriers.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
So a lot of those barriers that used to be there were dismantled, at least partly.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the focus of this early work was on issues specific to medicine, such as quality improvement or barriers to medication adherence.
—Jennifer Singh, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
American Indian and Alaska Native elders face significant systemic barriers to accessing health and social support and have a lower life expectancy than all other populations in the United States.
—Holly J. McDede, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barriers
Noun
-
Bring pets inside, and if time allows, make sure fences are secure to prevent pets from escaping or running away.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Oklahoman,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Creating barriers with plants, lattices, and fences can shield your unit from debris without interfering with its operation or putting it at risk of damage.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Damaged walls may not be able to support the building's weight.—
Pat Harvey,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Using a speaker outside the stall results in reverb and echoing as the music bounces around the bathroom walls, making the sound muddy and unpleasant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Minneapolis police took down the makeshift barricades early Friday morning.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Protesters gathered on the sidewalk behind barricades across the street from the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills at the corner of 150th Street and 70th Road, some carrying Palestinian flags.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Institutions were obstacles to be blamed or bypassed.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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Ladders can help fish circumvent these obstacles, but learning to navigate them can take the animals days.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barriers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barriers. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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