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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstructing
Separately, Comey was federally indicted last year on suspicion of making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional proceedings, but those charges were later dismissed.
—
Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.
—Darrell Smith
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The boy’s attorney Cameron deBrun says Ball’s team has been obstructing the legal process all along.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
In 2016, Coe was ordered to pay the IRS more than $980,000 in restitution for obstructing the tax agency and was sentenced to three years' probation.
—CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
All of the windows in the common areas faced south, and since there were no neighboring structures obstructing the light, sunshine streamed in unencumbered.
—Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
Yet, Councilman Chi Ossé chose to get involved, physically obstructing law enforcement, with him ultimately being arrested.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
In 2016, Coe was ordered to pay the IRS more than $980,000 in restitution for obstructing the tax agency and was sentenced to three years’ probation.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Eric Havens, 58, of Homewood, pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in Will County court after fleeing multiple law enforcement officials in October.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.
—Darrell Smith
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
The boy’s attorney Cameron deBrun says Ball’s team has been obstructing the legal process all along.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
In 2016, Coe was ordered to pay the IRS more than $980,000 in restitution for obstructing the tax agency and was sentenced to three years' probation.
—CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
All of the windows in the common areas faced south, and since there were no neighboring structures obstructing the light, sunshine streamed in unencumbered.
—Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
Yet, Councilman Chi Ossé chose to get involved, physically obstructing law enforcement, with him ultimately being arrested.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
In 2016, Coe was ordered to pay the IRS more than $980,000 in restitution for obstructing the tax agency and was sentenced to three years’ probation.
—ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
Eric Havens, 58, of Homewood, pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in Will County court after fleeing multiple law enforcement officials in October.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
-
The White House placed Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorists, impeding its ability to access international banking services.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
In court filings, the Newton Police Department has disputed the allegations, saying officers responded to multiple calls about roughly 100 spectators at Heartbreak Hill who were impeding the race.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Wild were without defenseman Jonas Brodin for the first time in the playoffs after he was injured blocking a shot in the second period of Game 5 in Dallas.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
Among his proposals is to reform the California Environmental Quality Act to enable only government prosecutors to sue, thus blocking the ability of private individuals and organizations to stop or delay new housing development.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The cuts to the DOJ program are hampering the work of the Resurrection Project and other groups.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Experts warn that the war in Iran and the resulting fuel shocks can strain funding and disrupts field operations, hindering global conservation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Most hypersonic missiles can perform evasive maneuvers while in flight, hindering detection and interception, unlike regular missiles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tragicomedy repeats as embarrassing parody.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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