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
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
Then Toronto took the lead early in the middle frame with a a pair of goals just over a minute apart, first with a seeing-eye shot over Wallstedt’s right shoulder, then with a long-range shot that caught the inside of the far post, with traffic in front of the net obstructing the goalie’s view.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 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
Pruning saws are great for thinning Japanese maple or crepe myrtle branches that might be rubbing on each other, shooting in the wrong direction, or obstructing a walkway.
—Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The historical State Line Bridge on the Kankakee River has attracted many snags over the decades, obstructing the flow of water.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to murder, cops charged Simboo with obstructing government administration and concealment of a human corpse.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Shields pleaded guilty to seven charges, including felony counts of obstructing justice and theft by deception.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Chloe Rosen, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
Jennings was charged obstructing a government operation.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Then Toronto took the lead early in the middle frame with a a pair of goals just over a minute apart, first with a seeing-eye shot over Wallstedt’s right shoulder, then with a long-range shot that caught the inside of the far post, with traffic in front of the net obstructing the goalie’s view.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 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
Pruning saws are great for thinning Japanese maple or crepe myrtle branches that might be rubbing on each other, shooting in the wrong direction, or obstructing a walkway.
—Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The historical State Line Bridge on the Kankakee River has attracted many snags over the decades, obstructing the flow of water.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
In addition to murder, cops charged Simboo with obstructing government administration and concealment of a human corpse.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Shields pleaded guilty to seven charges, including felony counts of obstructing justice and theft by deception.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
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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,
13 Mar. 2026
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Bridges on the trail include porches so visitors can pause and admire views without impeding others passing through.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The problem is compounded by construction blocking portions of the lanes and delivery vans navigating around barrels to park.—
Larry Seward,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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Democrats have twice used the filibuster to shut down the government, blocking funding bills that have majority support.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But then the team lost Kevin Fiala for the rest of the season to a fractured leg in the Olympic tournament and saw winger Andrei Kuzmenko undergo surgery last week to repair torn meniscus in his right knee, hampering an offense that ranks 28th in the 32-team league in goals.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Public frustration over the district’s academic performance reached a boiling point in August 2024, when Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker spoke at a school board meeting, saying the district’s poor performance was hampering students’ opportunities after high school.—
Silas Allen,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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High new housing inventory, together with elevated construction costs because of import tariffs and shortages of labor due to an immigration crackdown are hindering single-family home construction.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are embarrassing own goals that Republicans simply can’t afford.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 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 22 Mar. 2026.
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