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
Articles of impeachment were brought against him on two counts, for allegedly abusing his power through his dealings with Zelenskyy and then allegedly obstructing the House’s investigation into the matter.
—
Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Ouellet faces charges of domestic violence, obstructing the report of a crime or injury and possession of a deadly weapon.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Those arrested were hit with various charges including assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Police said two other people were cited for obstructing officers during their investigation into the collision.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Eight people were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, according to the NYPD.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 10 June 2026
The 20-year-old man with outstanding warrants was also charged with resisting and obstructing, according to the release, as was the 19-year-old man.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2026
Two others were also cited and released for allegedly obstructing officers.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Comey was first indicted last September by a federal grand jury in Virginia on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding in connection with his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Ouellet faces charges of domestic violence, obstructing the report of a crime or injury and possession of a deadly weapon.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 11 June 2026
Those arrested were hit with various charges including assault on a police officer, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
Police said two other people were cited for obstructing officers during their investigation into the collision.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
Eight people were arrested on charges of assaulting police officers, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration, according to the NYPD.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 10 June 2026
The 20-year-old man with outstanding warrants was also charged with resisting and obstructing, according to the release, as was the 19-year-old man.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 10 June 2026
Two others were also cited and released for allegedly obstructing officers.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Comey was first indicted last September by a federal grand jury in Virginia on one count of making a false statement and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding in connection with his testimony before a Senate committee in September 2020.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
-
Prosecutors had until Wednesday to obtain an indictment against Chicago Laugh Factory manager Nathan Griffin, who had been charged with forcibly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with a federal officer.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
3 Dec. 2025
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Maltos was jailed on charges of felony assault, resisting arrest and impeding a federal officer.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At defensive corners, Salah normally assumes a blocking role, tasked with disrupting the runs of key opposition aerial threats.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
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Aid agencies say Israel is blocking essential items.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Winds of up to 50 mph stoked the flames and severely limited the fire response by hampering boat and aircraft access to the remote island.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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Tension and cross-border fighting has left the border between the two countries closed since October, hampering trade and transportation and stranding thousands of people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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This structural debt was hindering basic operations and the company’s ability to serve customers, especially as clients’ technology needs evolve.—
Sage Lazzaro,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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Last year, probation officials began requiring CLERB to seek court approval before obtaining records in cases involving juveniles — a process former CLERB officials and advocates described as hindering meaningful oversight.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Don't be afraid of embarrassing yourself.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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