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
Still, travelers may encounter obstacles obtaining their refunds.
—
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 2 May 2026
The case for and against a redo The obstacles to a redo are considerable, starting with the obvious security concerns.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Wheeled machines move efficiently but struggle with obstacles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
After a chance meeting, Ash and Sadie work together to solve several obstacles that could hinder one of Kentucky’s proudest traditions.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The site was previously home to a course for cyclocross, a type of bicycle racing where racers make multiple laps on a closed circuit filled with obstacles and varied terrain.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Immediately, there were obstacles to the plan.
—Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Factors such as mowing frequency, grass type, obstacles, and cutting height contribute to blade dulling.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 2 May 2026
The case for and against a redo The obstacles to a redo are considerable, starting with the obvious security concerns.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Wheeled machines move efficiently but struggle with obstacles.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
After a chance meeting, Ash and Sadie work together to solve several obstacles that could hinder one of Kentucky’s proudest traditions.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
The site was previously home to a course for cyclocross, a type of bicycle racing where racers make multiple laps on a closed circuit filled with obstacles and varied terrain.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Immediately, there were obstacles to the plan.
—Mary Norris, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Factors such as mowing frequency, grass type, obstacles, and cutting height contribute to blade dulling.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacles
Noun
-
Some Democrats revive the promise of single-payer healthcare Some of the sharpest exchanges occurred over single-payer healthcare, a policy vision that Newsom embraced on the campaign trail and abandoned in office when faced with the daunting price tag and political hurdles.—
Ben Paviour
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Despite the initial hurdles, Hale persevered in a house full of toxic haters and fought her way back from the very bottom of the pecking order to become the first Black woman to win Big Brother and the show’s America’s Favorite Player award in one fell swoop.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.—
Adam Bluestein,
Scientific American,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Educating women on maternal health matters is just one of the initiatives of the nonprofit that hopes to break down health access barriers in a tangible way.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The professional embarrassments even take place at the level of state supreme courts.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not only because judges are fining more lawyers for their laziness, but because the publicity about these embarrassments has been inescapable.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacles. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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