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
Russian sage adds both height and texture to gardens without obstructing the view of the plants behind it, thanks to its airy appearance.
—
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Joshua Mills, 32, was sentenced Thursday to five to 20 years in prison on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and received an additional two to four years for two counts of resisting, obstructing or assaulting a police officer and one year for second-degree retail fraud.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
He was also charged with an additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ramirez is also charged with resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The Dems accuse Hegseth of starting an 'unauthorized' war, illegally targeting civilians, recklessly handling sensitive military information, obstructing Congress and abusing power.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Why Europe cares Orbán has long played a disruptive role in the EU, obstructing efforts to fund Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
In 2004, after years of incompetent, wasteful and corrupt agencies obstructing basic and legal public records requests, the California Assembly and Senate voted unanimously to put Proposition 59 before voters.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
But constant artificial light has also become a problem, affecting sleep quality, disrupting plant and animal biorhythms and obstructing our views of the cosmos.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Joshua Mills, 32, was sentenced Thursday to five to 20 years in prison on one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and received an additional two to four years for two counts of resisting, obstructing or assaulting a police officer and one year for second-degree retail fraud.
—Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
He was also charged with an additional count of possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ramirez is also charged with resisting, obstructing and delaying a peace officer.
—Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The Dems accuse Hegseth of starting an 'unauthorized' war, illegally targeting civilians, recklessly handling sensitive military information, obstructing Congress and abusing power.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Why Europe cares Orbán has long played a disruptive role in the EU, obstructing efforts to fund Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2026
In 2004, after years of incompetent, wasteful and corrupt agencies obstructing basic and legal public records requests, the California Assembly and Senate voted unanimously to put Proposition 59 before voters.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
But constant artificial light has also become a problem, affecting sleep quality, disrupting plant and animal biorhythms and obstructing our views of the cosmos.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
-
In January, Geren notified more than 50 of the 62 Democrats that each owes $9,200 in fines and other charges for impeding the progress of the House by not showing up in the Capitol last August as lawmakers deliberated a plan to overhaul the state's congressional map.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Miller's family members openly accused then-sheriff Marion Joe Russell of impeding the investigation, as Nipp was Russell's nephew.—
Jessie Christopher Smith,
Oklahoman,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some 20 Republicans joined most Democrats in blocking its advance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Brian Hooker reported his wife missing on Sunday, April 5, saying she had been swept away from a dingy which lost power the night before, hampering his ability to seek help.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The moves have reportedly left the task force without prosecutors with national security experience, hampering its goal to root out American connections to the Hamas attacks (which included 40 Americans among its approximately 1,200 victims).—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Through the fall and winter, as the Justice Department demanded that states turn over confidential voter roll information, Team America worked to solve problems hindering the use of digital tools to comb the lists for noncitizens who had illegally registered to vote.—
Doug Bock Clark,
ProPublica,
13 Apr. 2026
-
After Congress rejected those cuts earlier this year, the White House slowed the release of NIH grant money, hindering ongoing and future scientific research.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
