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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to overcome
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hurdle
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
However, the study found that housing affordability remains a major hurdle for Colorado families.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 30 Nov. 2025
Pickens hurdled up, and McDuffie clipped him for the stop, but the damage was done.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurdle
Noun
Beyond costumes, the sets posed their own restoration hurdles.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 27 Feb. 2026
However, the study found that housing affordability remains a major hurdle for Colorado families.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Lemon later hurdled Bruins’ punter Will Karoll on a punt return that led to a four-play, fourth-quarter drive to extend the Trojans’ lead to 11 points.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 30 Nov. 2025
Pickens hurdled up, and McDuffie clipped him for the stop, but the damage was done.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hurdle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurdle
Noun
-
Analysts say Kim's vilification of South Korea reflects his view that Seoul, which helped set up his first meetings with Trump, is no longer a useful intermediary with Washington but an obstacle to his effort to establish a more assertive regional footing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This season has one of the greatest obstacles between the leads.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Morales leaped in the air and got hugged by his teammates.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Nearby, 15-year-old Aguara leapt through the air, clearing an obstacle course while imitating the precise movements of a Belgian breed dog.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In their recusal motion aimed at the prosecutor, the defense lawyers had to overcome a high bar to prevail.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
To reach the state meet, Riley Kongkaeow has had to overcome an injury that limited her to 22 matches.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility The building incorporates universal design throughout, featuring step-free entrances to all of the restaurants, wide doorways, accessible guest rooms with barrier-free bathrooms, and a wheelchair accessible lift from the shower room to the pool area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Democrats have largely seen the move as a pretext for bogus voter fraud claims down the line, as congressional Republicans tee up new barriers to voter registration through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once, when the lights came on in the middle of the night, my sister and I both jumped into the shower at 1 or 2am.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Billie jumps from the second floor, injuring her foot, but Chee grabs her.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Ultimately, however, the Ducks surmounted not one but two two-goal deficits for the second straight game after doing so against Edmonton on Wednesday.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The furor ultimately became too intense to surmount.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The View From democrats Some Democrats skipped the speech altogether and attended off-site programming after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told his caucus to protest silently or to take their protests outside.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Some airlines have paused flights to certain destinations and cruise lines have begun skipping ports, creating uncertainty just weeks before peak travel season.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Brewers bested the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central by five games, despite having a payroll nearly $100 million lower than their rival, and reached the National League Championship Series.—
Jack Vita,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hurdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurdle. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
