1
as in impeding
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 blocking
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
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Recent Examples of obstructing
Yshay Fuller, 33, faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, obstructing justice and neglect by a legal guardian, court records show.
—
Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
He also was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor resisting or obstructing a peace officer after trying to flee the scene, according to CHP Stockton office spokesperson Officer Itzel Aguilar.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
You’re also banned from soliciting signatures, interfering with the voting process, disrupting the polling place or obstructing other voters’ access to the polling place.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2026
This alone, apparently, persuaded the court that Saadia Square was obstructing the collection of the judgment and thus a direct turnover order was issued for Saadia Square to transfer to the Shumener firm the Saadia Square interest within one week.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
One person was charged with hindering and obstructing.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 18 May 2026
In October 2023, Rostas, who was allegedly using a false identity, was arrested in Berkeley County, West Virginia, and charged with obstructing an officer.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Former court clerk pleads guilty Hill pleaded guilty to perjury, obstructing justice and misconduct in office and was sentenced to three years' probation and 100 hours of community service.
—Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Without blood vessels obstructing their view, birds’ retinal cells might be able to take in more visual information.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026
Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
He also was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor resisting or obstructing a peace officer after trying to flee the scene, according to CHP Stockton office spokesperson Officer Itzel Aguilar.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2026
You’re also banned from soliciting signatures, interfering with the voting process, disrupting the polling place or obstructing other voters’ access to the polling place.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2026
This alone, apparently, persuaded the court that Saadia Square was obstructing the collection of the judgment and thus a direct turnover order was issued for Saadia Square to transfer to the Shumener firm the Saadia Square interest within one week.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
One person was charged with hindering and obstructing.
—Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 18 May 2026
In October 2023, Rostas, who was allegedly using a false identity, was arrested in Berkeley County, West Virginia, and charged with obstructing an officer.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
Former court clerk pleads guilty Hill pleaded guilty to perjury, obstructing justice and misconduct in office and was sentenced to three years' probation and 100 hours of community service.
—Marlene Lenthang, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Without blood vessels obstructing their view, birds’ retinal cells might be able to take in more visual information.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
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At only 32 inches wide and just over a foot deep, this chest of drawers provides ample storage space without impeding a walkway or taking over your small bedroom.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
13 May 2026
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The insurance industry has pushed back, arguing the bill would ultimately make coverage less affordable by impeding accurate pricing.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Teräväinen, 31, was inches from blocking the airborne puck that Connor McDavid passed to Nathan MacKinnon for the winning goal that sent Canada past Finland and into the gold-medal game.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Skywatchers across parts of the Pacific will see the moon pass in front of the bright star Regulus on May 23, temporarily blocking its light in a celestial event known as a lunar occultation.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Snakes become entangled in the traps, hampering movement.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
18 May 2026
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Further hampering communication is the high level of turnover in the top ranks of BSO personnel who work at the airport.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Officials say that bright sunlight hindering the driver's vision could be a possible contributing factor.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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The state law DeSantis signed last summer bars local governments from enforcing regulations hindering the construction or operation of a presidential library, as defined by the federal Presidential Libraries Act.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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The Game 4 defeat – the no-silver-lining, embarrassing 6-1 loss – left a particularly rancid taste in everyone’s mouth.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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