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
This bag will protect the toilet from paint without obstructing the space between the wall and the tank.
—
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
Cops charged Coulibaly with assault on a police officer, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
People who see private plows dumping snow and obstructing public roads should contact 311.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
Aim for a 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of mulch over seeds and seedlings to protect without obstructing plant growth, says Sims.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The plea deal dropped additional charges of attempting to influence a public servant, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, obstructing government operations and official misconduct from his case, according to Jefferson County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
The suspect, a 35-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio, was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting and obstructing.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
His list of charges now includes resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer and identity theft in Lee County, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
Cops charged Coulibaly with assault on a police officer, obstructing government administration and disorderly conduct.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
People who see private plows dumping snow and obstructing public roads should contact 311.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Feb. 2026
Aim for a 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of mulch over seeds and seedlings to protect without obstructing plant growth, says Sims.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
His death sparked civil unrest in Puerto Vallarta and more than a dozen Mexican states, including Quintana Roo, with cars set on fire and blockades obstructing highways.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
The plea deal dropped additional charges of attempting to influence a public servant, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, obstructing government operations and official misconduct from his case, according to Jefferson County court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
The suspect, a 35-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio, was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting and obstructing.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
His list of charges now includes resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer and identity theft in Lee County, officials said.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
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Bill Essayli, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have aggressively charged protesters with assaulting and impeding the actions of immigration agents, filing more than 100 cases.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Homan said nearly 160 people were arrested in the month of January for impeding or assaulting federal officers.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The waterproof nylon exterior includes slash-resistant lining and straps, locking clasps to secure valuables, and RFID-blocking technology to help ward off pickpockets.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
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In the men’s collection, this comes to life through tracksuits with looser fits and red, black and white color blocking featuring adidas’ iconic 3-Stripes, alongside Tyshawn denim shorts, as well as tees and jacquard jerseys in neutral tones.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some economists have warned of a new era of stagflation, a result of tariffs both driving up prices while also hampering American job growth.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
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His return comes at an opportune time, with the Panthers clinging to fading hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs to try to win a third consecutive title and with injuries still hampering the team.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here's how often to prune succulents without hindering their growth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
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At last week’s Rio de Janeiro Open, there was an even more severe case of a hindrance hindering the player who committed it much more than the player on the other side of the net.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
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One day, Will goes viral after embarrassing ROAR league MVP, Mane Attraction (Aaron Pierre), during a streetball challenge, prompting his favorite team, the Vineland Thorns, to sign him to a season-ending contract in a desperate attempt to juice ticket sales.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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