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

Shot at Iconic Saga Studios in Atlanta, Newton and guests will unpack the pressures, mental hurdles, and triumphs of playing the position against the backdrop of their own experiences and careers. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2026

Democrats taking control, particularly over the Senate, will create some major hurdles for AI over the next two years, Ives added. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

For a teen star like King, the chasm that Malone once had to hurdle between the Petersburg High School varsity team and professional basketball has been replaced by something more like a tricky but continuous series of conveyor belts. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026

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