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
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
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Over the years, the number of cars parking near the bridge — often illegally, sometimes impeding emergency vehicles — has risen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Advertisement More than 600 defendants were accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers during the riot, and nearly 175 were accused of using dangerous or deadly weapons.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
19 May 2026
Verb
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secertary of State Shirley Weber filed a lawsuit on Friday aimed at blocking a Shasta County ballot initiative that would set up a range of new voting rules.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
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The bill would require an assessment of figures blocking humanitarian aid delivery, extend the authorization for the vacant Special Envoy to Sudan position, and direct the State Department to designate the Rapid Support Forces as a group for sanctions.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Deep mistrust among some people in the town is hampering response efforts to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus — for which there is no vaccine.—
Emmet Livingstone,
NPR,
28 May 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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There are reports that China may have provided Iran with access to its BeiDou satellite navigation system, significantly improving the accuracy of Iran’s missiles and drones and hindering any effort to jam or spoof them.—
Michael P. Dempsey,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Then to Sydney Harbour, the very scene of that embarrassing capsize exactly a year earlier, and the Americans won the event outright for a first win since October 2023.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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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 14 Jun. 2026.
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