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
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
Joint pain that turns stairs into obstacles.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
And then some obstacles with Wesley running for office, what that does to his relationship with Lopez.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Pudu’s approach appears to emphasize efficiency in mixed environments, using wheels wherever possible and reserving legged motion for obstacles such as stairs or steps up to 25 centimeters high.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
The government increased the number of obstacles to undermine the competitiveness of elections, the ability to run an organized campaign, and this has included not just terrible regulations, but arrests and prohibitions.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
While Venezuela’s oil reserves are the world’s largest, obstacles include high up-front costs for building out infrastructure, limited profit potential amid today’s low oil prices and continuing concerns about political stability.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
When entering new environments, guide them carefully to highlight potential obstacles.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
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
Joint pain that turns stairs into obstacles.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2026
And then some obstacles with Wesley running for office, what that does to his relationship with Lopez.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
Pudu’s approach appears to emphasize efficiency in mixed environments, using wheels wherever possible and reserving legged motion for obstacles such as stairs or steps up to 25 centimeters high.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
The government increased the number of obstacles to undermine the competitiveness of elections, the ability to run an organized campaign, and this has included not just terrible regulations, but arrests and prohibitions.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
While Venezuela’s oil reserves are the world’s largest, obstacles include high up-front costs for building out infrastructure, limited profit potential amid today’s low oil prices and continuing concerns about political stability.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
When entering new environments, guide them carefully to highlight potential obstacles.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacles
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
Noun
-
These signs usually indicate several issues like clogs and obstructions or worn out parts.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Dec. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Authorities installed concrete barriers outside the federal building following protests.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Such a link might also provide the quiet word that can avoid more public embarrassments.—
Ian Irving,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Vulnerability is currency on reality television, and after a season of exposing their own struggles and embarrassments, the other women are annoyed that Meredith wants to keep up appearances.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstacles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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