1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of obstruct
Michigan law prohibits individuals from obstructing or interfering with the lawful taking of aquatic species.
—
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Sherry Xue Li, of Oyster Bay, N.Y., pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government by obstructing the Federal Election Commission’s administration of campaign finance laws, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025
The veteran Milwaukee County judge is charged with obstructing federal immigration officers who were seeking to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the immigrant appearing on a misdemeanor battery charge in Dugan's courtroom on April 18.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Small pieces of metal could obstruct airways, especially in vulnerable populations like children and older adults.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Sherry Xue Li, of Oyster Bay, N.Y., pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government by obstructing the Federal Election Commission’s administration of campaign finance laws, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of New York.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025
The veteran Milwaukee County judge is charged with obstructing federal immigration officers who were seeking to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, the immigrant appearing on a misdemeanor battery charge in Dugan's courtroom on April 18.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
Small pieces of metal could obstruct airways, especially in vulnerable populations like children and older adults.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
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Ward was arrested in Texas on June 12 and charged with assault on a family member by impeding breathing or circulation, which is a third-degree felony.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Baltimore County is on a list of states, cities, and counties identified by the Justice Department as having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws.—
Cale Ahearn,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Walker had already blocked some provisions of the statute that bar noncitizens and residents of other states from gathering petitions to get a measure on the ballot.—
Kate Payne,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Aug. 2025
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Lunsford noted, however, that, due to Perseus appearing low on the horizon at this time, much of the meteor activity will be blocked from view.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The rescue was made in an area that search teams had attempted to reach the day before, but were hindered by severe weather conditions.—
Jack Albright,
jsonline.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Consumer experts as well as current and former CFPB employees, however, said the cuts will likely hinder the agency’s effectiveness.—
Joel Jacobs,
ProPublica,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This will to copy and paste the images of history in effect occludes its alien beauty and force—the simulacrum devours its source.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
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This will to copy and paste the images of history in effect occludes its alien beauty and force—the simulacrum devours its source.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Aug. 2025
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After a development process allegedly hampered by a myriad of technical issues, Alexa+ started rolling out to users' Amazon Echo devices earlier this year, albeit with a limited feature set compared to Amazon's final vision for the product.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Dodgers embarrassed them on the field and then hit the podcast circuit to shame them some more, ridiculing their defense, their baserunning, their lack of composure and even their unnecessary visits to the mound.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
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Big yikes: This is a sarcastic phrase to publicly mock or shame someone for a cringey comment, outfit, or behavior and is used to embarrass others in group chats or social media.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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