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
Making a robot run is not a simple task and requires precise balance control, terrain handling (uneven surfaces), endurance, navigation, and anti-interference capabilities (noise, obstacles, etc).
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Football matchups featuring the Pac-12 legacy schools make loads of sense but face several obstacles.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
But major obstacles remain, as Hezbollah has not formally agreed to the truce and wants Israel to withdraw.
—Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The actors faced their own obstacles navigating the heightened imagination required for their performances.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Vance and Fray discussed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook through obstacles.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
But payouts won't be automatic, and legal experts said businesses could face other obstacles getting their money back.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
An emotionally honest perspective of rural life in today’s America, Harvest is a passionate documentary on the Nelson Brothers of Sondheimer, Louisiana, population 200, who are fourth-generation farmers with big dreams facing even bigger obstacles.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Those are usually the two biggest obstacles.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Apr. 2026
Football matchups featuring the Pac-12 legacy schools make loads of sense but face several obstacles.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
But major obstacles remain, as Hezbollah has not formally agreed to the truce and wants Israel to withdraw.
—Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
The actors faced their own obstacles navigating the heightened imagination required for their performances.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Vance and Fray discussed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook through obstacles.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
But payouts won't be automatic, and legal experts said businesses could face other obstacles getting their money back.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
An emotionally honest perspective of rural life in today’s America, Harvest is a passionate documentary on the Nelson Brothers of Sondheimer, Louisiana, population 200, who are fourth-generation farmers with big dreams facing even bigger obstacles.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Those are usually the two biggest obstacles.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacles
Noun
-
Collins announced on Monday that after two years of legal hurdles and negotiations, the project to take over and transform InfoWars is finally getting off the ground.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Developers face a gauntlet of zoning rules, permitting delays, high construction costs, expensive property taxes and local political hurdles, all of which slow or shrink projects before they ever get built.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
-
Aid agencies say Israeli security restrictions have tied their hands, creating difficult security barriers that have limited the influx of aid.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
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Other good view barriers for privacy might include the edible olive, pineapple guava, Simpson stopper, Walter’s viburnum, podocarpus and clumping bamboo.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The professional embarrassments even take place at the level of state supreme courts.—
Martin Kaste,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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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 27 Apr. 2026.
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