Synonyms of obstructing

obstructing

verb

present participle of obstruct

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

• impeding
• hampering
• hindering
• embarrassing
• blocking
• inhibiting
• delaying
• handicapping
• disrupting
• stymieing
• clogging
• restraining
• interfering (with)
• encumbering
• handcuffing
• constraining
• cramping
• fettering
• hobbling
• shackling
• thwarting
• tying up
• holding back
• short-circuiting
• curbing
• tying
• trammeling
• hog-tying
• frustrating
• manacling
• retarding
• retaining
• stifling
• checking
• binding
• giving a hard time
• arresting
• reining
• cramping one's style
• balking
• blockading
• braking
• holding up
• barricading
• strangling
• sabotaging
• choking
• tethering
• chaining
• leashing
• confining
• derailing
• baffling
• roadblocking
• foiling
• smothering
• bogging (down)
• suffocating
• stumping
• haltering
• miring
• repressing
• muzzling
• suppressing
• hedging (in)
• hemming (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• aiding
• assisting
• helping
• facilitating
• opening
• clearing
• freeing
• releasing
• liberating
• promoting
• unclogging
• loosening
• unplugging
• encouraging
• furthering
• smoothing
• unstopping
• making way
• untying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blocking
• jamming
• occluding
• filling
• choking
• clogging
• congesting
• flooding
• stopping (up)
• damming
• plugging (up)
• clotting
• gumming (up)
• packing
• stuffing
• corking
• stoppering
• overwhelming
• silting
• bunging
• inundating
• gridlocking
• swamping
• spiling
• furring
• stoppling
• glutting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freeing
• clearing
• opening (up)
• unblocking
• unplugging
• excavating
• unclogging
• emptying
• unstopping
• scooping (out)
• hollowing (out)
• lightening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obstructing

Former Portage Mayor James Snyder wants a federal appeals court to dismiss his case stemming from his November 2016 indictment, which included a charge of obstructing the IRS. — Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

The New Jersey facility has repeatedly been accused by state and local inspectors of obstructing health and safety inspections and has been the site of ongoing protests and detainee hunger strikes over food quality, overcrowding and medical care. — Emma Bussey , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights pleaded guilty in late April to one count of obstructing, impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers during civil disorder, the Department of Justice said in a news release. — Seamus Bozeman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

The Will County State's Attorney's Office charged Alsaidi with unlawful use of a weapon and obstructing a peace officer. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026

Watson was imprisoned in Greenland for five months in 2024 after being arrested on a Japanese warrant over charges of obstructing a whaling ship in 2010. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

But in Paul's view, he could still be prosecuted for obstructing a congressional investigation outside of that window. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Lozano Flores is being held at the Ada County Jail on suspicion of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16, first-degree kidnapping, and resisting and obstructing an officer. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026

The city’s independent watchdog accused police of obstructing her inquiry into the shooting. — Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 23 July 2026