Synonyms of hurdle

hurdle 1 of 2

noun

ˈhər-dᵊl 

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult

the many hurdles he had to overcome on the road to success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obstacle
• barrier
• obstruction
• embarrassment
• impediment
• interference
• hindrance
• burden
• let
• handicap
• deterrent
• block
• inhibition
• encumbrance
• chain
• shackles
• stumbling block
• constraint
• stop
• balk
• hitch
• load
• clog
• cramp
• bar
• delay
• drag
• disadvantage
• danger
• crimp
• trammel
• holdback
• brake
• manacle
• blockade
• blockage
• difficulty
• fetter
• stone wall
• rub
• curb
• hazard
• snag
• catch
• brick wall
• arrest
• restraint
• hardship
• drawback
• embargo
• stoppage
• rein
• stall
• bit
• peril
• holdup
• hobble
• adversity
• reef
• check
• cumber

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incentive
• advantage
• impetus
• stimulus
• catalyst
• spur
• edge
• benefit
• assistance
• break
• aid
• help
• stimulant
• goad
• boost
• handmaiden

hurdle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to leap

Related Words

• leap
• jump
• skip
• leapfrog
• bound
• bounce
• vault
• lope
• hop
• spring
• buck
• romp
• caper
• gambol
• frolic
• pounce
• cavort
• attack
• capriole
• skyrocket
• shoot

2

as in to overcome

Related Words

• overcome
• surmount
• best
• conquer
• worst
• throw
• master
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• upset
• sweep
• prevail (over)
• subdue
• lick
• beat
• dispatch
• vanquish
• take
• overwhelm
• crush
• overthrow
• better
• blow away
• overmatch
• overbear
• subjugate
• overpower
• exceed
• transcend
• dust
• knock off
• surpass
• top
• skin
• bury
• cream
• annihilate
• rout
• flatten
• smoke
• trim
• outdo
• whip
• succeed
• knock over
• bomb
• smother
• outstrip
• eclipse
• upend
• paste
• wax
• thrash
• ace (out)
• snow under
• trounce
• clobber
• outshine
• outdistance
• edge (out)
• excel
• finish
• drub
• flourish
• wallop
• cap
• shellac
• score
• skunk
• whop
• slaughter
• whomp
• whup
• destroy
• nose out
• pip
• overtop
• tromp
• outfight
• sink
• do in
• break

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hurdle

Noun

Simply finding an appropriate trial can present an enormous hurdle. — Michelle Andrews, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

Phillips 66 has a chemicals joint venture with Chevron that each side has a right of first refusal to acquire wholly; previous efforts to sell the business from both Chevron and Phillips’ end have run into hurdles, other people said. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

There hasn’t been much KP hasn’t been able to hurdle, and that showed in double-overtime wins over Canton in the second round and Pembroke in the quarterfinals, before dethroning defending state champion Medfield in the semifinals. — Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

These events, almost always streamed or televised, were suddenly hurdling toward obsolescence — one of many casualties inflicted by the transfer portal and NIL. — David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026