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
Address a gopher threat proactively through weed control and laying down barriers.
—
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Virtual psychology removes outdated barriers by merging medical scrutiny with convenience, helping individuals move from uncertainty toward greater clarity.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Rivera broke barriers with Lopez's storyline of being a lesbian and coming out to her traditional Hispanic family and grandmother.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
And that is a universal journey that transcends even the starkest barriers of language, culture and politics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s barriers there too, especially for the little guys.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
Characteristic of the late Bronze Age or Iron Age periods of European history, hillforts generally refer to fortified, elevated settlements that were surrounded by barriers—usually made of earth, stone or wooden palisades—that created an enclosure.
—News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2026
These platforms reduce some barriers, streamline the process, and offer clearer cost information.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
By simplifying adaptation and reducing technical barriers, the platform could broaden the use of eco-friendly drones across research and industry.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
Virtual psychology removes outdated barriers by merging medical scrutiny with convenience, helping individuals move from uncertainty toward greater clarity.
—Lucy Jones
april 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Rivera broke barriers with Lopez's storyline of being a lesbian and coming out to her traditional Hispanic family and grandmother.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
And that is a universal journey that transcends even the starkest barriers of language, culture and politics.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026
But there’s barriers there too, especially for the little guys.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 11 Apr. 2026
Characteristic of the late Bronze Age or Iron Age periods of European history, hillforts generally refer to fortified, elevated settlements that were surrounded by barriers—usually made of earth, stone or wooden palisades—that created an enclosure.
—News Desk, Artforum, 10 Apr. 2026
These platforms reduce some barriers, streamline the process, and offer clearer cost information.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
By simplifying adaptation and reducing technical barriers, the platform could broaden the use of eco-friendly drones across research and industry.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barriers
Noun
-
The stakes, the action, and the effects budget — this is Stargate swinging for the fences.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The fences are still there, as are many of the problems in and around the park.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The light that falls from the left, through half-open windows, onto Vermeer’s walls, some of them bare, testifies not so much to an overcast Dutch day as to a suffusion of grace.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Each consists of no more than two visible walls — showing bare, wooden interiors — with the rest left to our imagination.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some diehard Beliebers—Justin’s fiercest fans—were already camped out near the front barricades.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Behind the barricades, diplomatic activity is operating at a fever pitch as the world holds its breath for this weekend’s make-or-break ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The obstacles to a clean reauthorization appear most daunting in the House, where a number of Democrats and Republicans are insisting on changes, including one that would require a warrant before using the tool.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Those are usually the two biggest obstacles.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barriers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barriers. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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