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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obstructing
She was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felonious assault and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, investigators said.
—
Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
After her third arrest in November 2024, Chelsea pled guilty in February 2025 to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
—Anna Myers, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
She was also charged with two counts of possession/illegally obtaining prescription drugs and resisting or obstructing an officer.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The adult passenger in the vehicle was also arrested and charged with obstructing a police officer, and three separate warrants, according to the release.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
McLaughlin said four people were arrested for assaulting an officer, and one was arrested for obstructing law enforcement by blocking a driveway.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
Federal officials also arrested four people protesting on charges of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, and another person was arrested for allegedly obstructing law enforcement by blocking a driveway.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
One claim, filed in August 2024 and reviewed by The Associated Press, seeks compensatory and punitive damages over the Mar-a-Lago search and subsequent criminal case accusing Trump of hoarding classified records and obstructing efforts to recover them.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Dasilva and Xiong, seen on campus video fleeing the scene, were also charged with misdemeanors of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer, prosecutors said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
After her third arrest in November 2024, Chelsea pled guilty in February 2025 to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
—Anna Myers, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
She was also charged with two counts of possession/illegally obtaining prescription drugs and resisting or obstructing an officer.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The adult passenger in the vehicle was also arrested and charged with obstructing a police officer, and three separate warrants, according to the release.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
McLaughlin said four people were arrested for assaulting an officer, and one was arrested for obstructing law enforcement by blocking a driveway.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 22 Oct. 2025
Federal officials also arrested four people protesting on charges of assaulting a federal law enforcement officer, and another person was arrested for allegedly obstructing law enforcement by blocking a driveway.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
One claim, filed in August 2024 and reviewed by The Associated Press, seeks compensatory and punitive damages over the Mar-a-Lago search and subsequent criminal case accusing Trump of hoarding classified records and obstructing efforts to recover them.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Dasilva and Xiong, seen on campus video fleeing the scene, were also charged with misdemeanors of resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer, prosecutors said.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
-
An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate posted video to social media that appears to depict events described in a federal indictment accusing her of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
What To Know The 600 nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), claim the management of their hospital is impeding their ability to retain experienced healthcare workers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a rare moment of impressive hosting, Vanessa Lachey pointed out that Edmond's traumatic childhood and upbringing might result in him only focusing on the positive memories and blocking out any negative memories as a coping mechanism.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Here, a selection of hard-working blue light sunscreens to add to your free radical-blocking regimen.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
And since the deal, Israel has refused to reengage with the agency, hampering large-scale relief efforts.—
Jeremy Konyndyk,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Oct. 2025
-
With injuries and inconsistency hampering the wide receiver corps, the Commanders are set to host former Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Treylon Burks.—
Josh Buckhalter,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Relieve Compaction Excessive traffic on a lawn causes the soil particles in the turf’s root zone to press more closely together, hindering access to water, nutrients, and oxygen.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Can what’s hindering the Chargers’ defense be fixed in only a matter of days?—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The New York Mets fell short of the postseason in embarrassing fashion last season, so this offseason is going to be more important than ever.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share