as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the many hurdles he had to overcome on the road to success
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Recent Examples of hurdles
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Engineering durability challenges ahead Manufacturing remains one of the biggest hurdles.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The 2025 box office fell short of the $9 billion analysts had projected heading into the year, signaling to industry watchdogs that post-pandemic hurdles could be more permanent than anticipated.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Instead, the overlapping policies are part of an overarching strategy of layering bureaucratic hurdles to reduce legal immigration altogether, especially from certain nationalities, lawyers told the Miami Herald.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
But that outcome remains uncertain, since oil companies face significant political and logistical hurdles in Venezuela, while wider market conditions could shift in the meantime.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
The change is expected to cause logistical hurdles for travelers from countries like India, Brazil, and China, where visa interview wait times can be over a year.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Plenty of financial and regulatory hurdles still need to be cleared, but a fuels pipeline project that may lead to lower gas prices in San Diego and Southern California has received a healthy amount of interest from other companies.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
Getting to the rollout has not been without hurdles, though, with teams continuing to work around the clock.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Engineering durability challenges ahead Manufacturing remains one of the biggest hurdles.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The 2025 box office fell short of the $9 billion analysts had projected heading into the year, signaling to industry watchdogs that post-pandemic hurdles could be more permanent than anticipated.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026
Instead, the overlapping policies are part of an overarching strategy of layering bureaucratic hurdles to reduce legal immigration altogether, especially from certain nationalities, lawyers told the Miami Herald.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
But that outcome remains uncertain, since oil companies face significant political and logistical hurdles in Venezuela, while wider market conditions could shift in the meantime.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 Jan. 2026
The change is expected to cause logistical hurdles for travelers from countries like India, Brazil, and China, where visa interview wait times can be over a year.
—Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Plenty of financial and regulatory hurdles still need to be cleared, but a fuels pipeline project that may lead to lower gas prices in San Diego and Southern California has received a healthy amount of interest from other companies.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurdles
Noun
-
Institutions were obstacles to be blamed or bypassed.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Creative play brightens, and feelings gently soften as the Moon leaps into your 5th House of Affection.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The heart leaps every now and then to hear some hot rod out there, or some motorcycle roaring late at night in glorious, mortal disregard.—
David Searcy,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Authorities installed concrete barriers outside the federal building following protests.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Boitano said Liu was exceptional in her early years, performing jumps no other skater could execute at the time.—
Janelle Davis,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … DRAMATIC RESCUE – Viral video captures moments after mother jumps into water to save daughter.—
,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Quick and direct, this young adult novel in verse about a closeted Black boy who overcomes fear and shame through the power of poetry reads almost like a journal entry.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Inflatable module overcomes launch constraints Orbital platforms are typically constrained by limitations related to the launch vehicle.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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These signs usually indicate several issues like clogs and obstructions or worn out parts.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Dec. 2025
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Do yourself a favor and take the time to properly inspect the machine, tighten any fasteners, check for wear on the rotor paddles, scrapers, and skid shoes, and ensure that the auger and chute are free of obstructions.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The grand jury indictment means the former fire chief’s criminal case skips the preliminary hearing phase and moves directly to trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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So if Harbaugh skips town to the Buccaneers, who would be Cam Ward?—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The towers are also able to reach a capacity factor of about 32%, which bests that of flat panels, which come in around 22%.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Oct. 2025
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And China now bests the United States in 57 out of 64 critical and emerging technologies, per a 2024 study.—
Mircea Geoană,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hurdles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurdles. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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