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

The vehicle was stopped for a few minutes perpendicular to a snowy residential Minneapolis street, obstructing the flow of traffic. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Collaboration means different interests working through disagreements to find common ground – not obstructing progress in court while forests burn. — Chris Edwards, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026

In three years, Whitley’s job transformed from obstructing his fatherhood to enhancing it. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026

None of this means obstructing staff, entering restricted areas, or secretly recording conversations. — Matthew Kayser, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

He was charged with obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and resisting an officer without violence. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Buckley was arrested and charged with obstructing the administration of law, per the EBPD release and public New Jersey Municipal Court records. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

After being taken to a local hospital for medical clearance, the juvenile was then booked into the Ada County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of grand theft, fleeing and eluding, and resisting and obstructing. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 19 Sep. 2026

After his release, he was arrested last October in the Bronx for obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, and was released without bail. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026