Synonym Chooser

How does the verb obstruct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block, hinder, and impede. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

When can block be used instead of obstruct?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is hinder a more appropriate choice than obstruct?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

When could impede be used to replace obstruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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 obstruct Choose hats and masks that do not obstruct a child's view. Greta Cross, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025 The adult passenger in the vehicle was also arrested and charged with obstructing a police officer, and three separate warrants, according to the release. Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Small pieces of metal can obstruct airways, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and older adults. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 One home had its height lowered by 18 inches, Dickinson said, to placate a neighbor who objected to their views of the ocean being obstructed. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
  • Neither tug was blatant, but both seemed to impede Allende.
    Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Historical accounts say about 150 men under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Stapleton blocked these horsemen.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Here, a selection of hard-working blue light sunscreens to add to your free radical-blocking regimen.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, challenges such as battery weight, regulation, safety, and scalability still hinder most projects.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Did the leaks hinder your creative approach to making music?
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In animal studies, rodents had their middle cerebral artery occluded, a standard stroke model in animals.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Oct. 2025
  • For example, if a ball rolled behind some occluding object and temporarily disappeared from view, the model generated an error when the ball didn’t reappear from behind the object in future frames.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the gargantuan task of playing a six-hour and 39-minute baseball game, it was almost expected that the Dodgers would be somewhat hampered, but the Toronto Blue Jays not only had the same circumstances, but handily won Game 4.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • French authorities have arrested several suspects after a frantic manhunt for the men who staged a spectacular daytime heist at the Louvre museum that gripped the world and embarrassed the government in Paris.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

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