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
The decision comes a year after 23-year-old Samson Allen appealed his guilty verdict of resisting and obstructing police.
—
Rose Evans
updated May 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 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
Authorities are seen attempting to stop agitators from obstructing vehicles and clearing them from the road.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
There was also the problem of propeller blades in front, obstructing a clear shot at German enemy aircraft.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 May 2026
The judge said that the government met its burden in proving that Farwell is at risk of fleeing, obstructing justice, and causing harm to others if released pre-trial.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
Simms was charged with obstructing government administration and tampering with physical evidence as a hate crime.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
He was cited with disobeying a traffic control device, not having proof of insurance and obstructing a police officer.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Eighteen months ago, judges in Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, noticed an increase in charges related to homelessness — including for obstructing a sidewalk, unlawful camping and unlawful storage of personal property.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 26 May 2026
Rose Evans
updated May 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 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
Authorities are seen attempting to stop agitators from obstructing vehicles and clearing them from the road.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026
There was also the problem of propeller blades in front, obstructing a clear shot at German enemy aircraft.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 26 May 2026
The judge said that the government met its burden in proving that Farwell is at risk of fleeing, obstructing justice, and causing harm to others if released pre-trial.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 26 May 2026
Simms was charged with obstructing government administration and tampering with physical evidence as a hate crime.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 26 May 2026
He was cited with disobeying a traffic control device, not having proof of insurance and obstructing a police officer.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2026
Eighteen months ago, judges in Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, noticed an increase in charges related to homelessness — including for obstructing a sidewalk, unlawful camping and unlawful storage of personal property.
—Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
-
The authorities also required journalists to obtain a permit to report on the outbreak, impeding their work.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
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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The additions of Kadyn Proctor along the offensive line and blocking tight end Will Kacmarek almost certainly affirmed that.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
-
Over the following hours, the moon will pass directly in front of the red supergiant star, briefly blocking its light in an event that astronomers refer to as an occultation, according to the astronomy website In-the-Sky.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Kenya’s proposed new taxes risk hampering the growth of fintechs and mobile money services, with Safaricom’s M-Pesa likely to be the worst hit, experts told Semafor.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
The state broadcaster also reported that blueprints provided by the coal mine did not match the actual layout, hampering rescue efforts.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2026
Verb
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That is hindering efforts to stop the spread of the virus and track those at risk in an area already wracked by conflict and with poor health infrastructure, health officials said.—
Jennifer Rigby,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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Teams become less thoughtful as members avoid sharing ideas to escape critique, hindering collective learning and experimentation.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
To be sweating on the results of others and nervously looking over their shoulder — and from fifth place — at this stage of a season is embarrassing enough for Liverpool.—
Gregg Evans,
New York Times,
20 May 2026
-
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 30 May. 2026.
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