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
He was convicted in 2019 of seven felonies, including obstructing a congressional inquiry, lying to investigators under oath and attempting to block witness testimony.
—
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The driver was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing or delaying an officer, police said.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Snyder’s appeal makes a motion for new trial on his charge of obstructing the IRS and challenges the denial of his motion for acquittal and the denial of a motion for leave to file a motion for a new trial for obstructing the IRS, according to the two-page notice of appeal.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The bill amends Article 2 Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia which outlines penalties for obstructing roads.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Others said Kentucky’s existing law regarding obstructing emergency responders is enough to protect both parties and failed to see a need for stricter penalties.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
At the time, the Department of Homeland Security said Rahman was arrested for obstructing federal officers.
—Chloe Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Jennings was charged obstructing a government operation.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The White House press office had multiple hats in the ring, including videos of deranged domestic terrorists obstructing ICE raids, bald eagles flying fighter jets in the Middle East, and Pam Bondi absolutely owning Democratic congressmen during her deposition.
—Charlotte Y. Levy, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2026
Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
The driver was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and obstructing or delaying an officer, police said.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Snyder’s appeal makes a motion for new trial on his charge of obstructing the IRS and challenges the denial of his motion for acquittal and the denial of a motion for leave to file a motion for a new trial for obstructing the IRS, according to the two-page notice of appeal.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The bill amends Article 2 Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia which outlines penalties for obstructing roads.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Others said Kentucky’s existing law regarding obstructing emergency responders is enough to protect both parties and failed to see a need for stricter penalties.
—Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Mar. 2026
At the time, the Department of Homeland Security said Rahman was arrested for obstructing federal officers.
—Chloe Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Jennings was charged obstructing a government operation.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The White House press office had multiple hats in the ring, including videos of deranged domestic terrorists obstructing ICE raids, bald eagles flying fighter jets in the Middle East, and Pam Bondi absolutely owning Democratic congressmen during her deposition.
—Charlotte Y. Levy, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
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Japan’s aging population is a long-running issue, impeding economic growth and putting immense pressure on the public coffers.—
Junko Ogura,
CNN Money,
20 Mar. 2026
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The indictment includes the conspiracy count, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in federal prison, as well as several other counts of forcibly impeding a federal officer, each punishable by up to one year in federal prison.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The staffers have also been blocking driveways, forcing WGA managers to wait for several minutes before entering or exiting the SAG-AFTRA parking garage.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
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The military conflict is blocking the flow of oil and natural gas and impacting the availability of fertilizers derived from those products, according to industry groups.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some lawmakers think the staff reductions are hampering farmers’ ability to access programs.—
Patricia Kime,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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A number of airlines have halted flights to Dubai, hampering travel and freight transport.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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State investigators say federal authorities have blocked them from accessing evidence, hindering a possible use-of-force investigation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
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However, tariff threats from the US — Nigeria’s third-largest export market — and inflationary pressures caused by the war in Iran risk hindering that progress.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Harbaugh has taken a blow torch to the Giants’ embarrassing special teams unit.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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