as in hurdles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
stumbling on all the obstacles along the path
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Recent Examples of obstacles
Similarly, Arizona’s native flora and fauna have their own obstacles to survival in one of the world’s most unforgiving landscapes.
—
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Some cities install physical barriers like planters, bike racks, or other obstacles, to ensure compliance.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Here's a look at the key obstacles and priorities when both chambers return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Thune, a South Dakota Republican, did not return a request for comment for this story, but his earlier remarks underscore the obstacles a ban faces even after reaching the milestone of committee passage.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Anyone brave — or foolish — enough to stick his or her neck out faces major obstacles that make success unlikely.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Optimus robots were initially greeted with skepticism from analysts and have continued to encounter obstacles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Ratwatte said that the country has long faced humanitarian obstacles, explaining that half its population needs help, and that a drought has exacerbated food insecurity.
—David Chiu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
If more Americans are open to affordable housing in their own backyards, the political and zoning obstacles that have slowed construction for decades may start to give way.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Some cities install physical barriers like planters, bike racks, or other obstacles, to ensure compliance.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Here's a look at the key obstacles and priorities when both chambers return to Capitol Hill on Tuesday.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2025
Thune, a South Dakota Republican, did not return a request for comment for this story, but his earlier remarks underscore the obstacles a ban faces even after reaching the milestone of committee passage.
—Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Anyone brave — or foolish — enough to stick his or her neck out faces major obstacles that make success unlikely.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
The Optimus robots were initially greeted with skepticism from analysts and have continued to encounter obstacles.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Ratwatte said that the country has long faced humanitarian obstacles, explaining that half its population needs help, and that a drought has exacerbated food insecurity.
—David Chiu, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
If more Americans are open to affordable housing in their own backyards, the political and zoning obstacles that have slowed construction for decades may start to give way.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacles
Noun
-
Artest has aspirations to set the program record and win the state championship in the 300 hurdles.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Back in 2012, Tesla’s board offered him a deal based on production and stock price hurdles.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 2025, Roborock launched a vacuum cleaner with a robotic arm for moving socks and other obstructions out of the way.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The Buck is collecting data to identify any obstructions to the safe navigation of traffic entering or exiting the Port of Baltimore via the Fort McHenry Federal Channel.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Don Felder, a second cousin who now helps manage Gibson’s estate and legacy, grew up hearing her tell stories breaking the barriers in tennis and then in golf.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The Speak No Evil star is bringing his directorial debut California Schemin’ to the Toronto Film Festival for a world premiere, and his hip hop hoax movie reveals why Scots speaking with a different accent from the English face key barriers to success down south.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For many, the glamour of it all seemed to be gone, replaced with a glossy series of embarrassments.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacles. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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