obstacles

noun

plural of obstacle
as in hurdles
something that makes movement or progress difficult stumbling on all the obstacles along the path

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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 obstacles Today, obstacles have been further reduced by ever-emerging new tools and platforms. — William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026 The vote follows an investigation by The Times that highlighted obstacles faced by people trying to obtain restraining orders in cases of domestic abuse. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 Each scenario presents political obstacles, leaving Eisenkot facing the difficult task of assembling a coalition among parties with sharply different views on religion, national identity and security policy. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026 Today, those obstacles might be computer systems or safety measures. — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026 Still, operating outside the two-party system comes with obstacles. — Michel Martin, NPR, 11 Nov. 2026 And the obstacles of the anti-leadership campaign are revealing the limited reach of a progressive movement that wants to pick the next presidential nominee. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2026 Its inference-time reasoning guidance helps robots avoid obstacles and operate around people. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026 DeepMind says this feature allowed Gemini robots to safely complete tasks 33 percent more often when obstacles were present. — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacles
  1. hurdles
  2. obstructions
  3. barriers
  4. embarrassments
Noun
  • Period pieces always come with financial hurdles — clearing songs, locations.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The separate milestones under the DIP agreement imposed additional hurdles.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of hurdles
Noun
  • With lower levels, officials urge boaters and anyone else visiting the lake to be extra cautious, especially because obstructions that may not be visible when the lake is higher can be hazardous.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Look for structural integrity, a smooth spinning blade with no obstructions from tape or cardboard, and no unusual sounds or vibrations.
    — John Alexander, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of obstructions
Noun
  • Adolesco offers a cultural exchange program that aims to remove cost barriers to studying abroad through an affordable option.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Power supply and heat management remain the biggest barriers to growth.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of barriers
Noun
  • Sitting around a table in the soundstage where the pilot for I Love Lucy was filmed, the six of them tailored the roles to the actors and infused the script with arguments, embarrassments, and confessions from their own relationships.
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026
  • The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Definition of embarrassments

Browse Nearby Words

obstacle
obstacles
obstetrician
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Cite this Entry

“Obstacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacles. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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