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

Eight people were arrested at the demonstration, Gothamist said, and were charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. —Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Guido Reichstadter was safely removed from the bridge and is charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, unlawful entry and failing to obey an officer, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told Fox News Digital. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026

Eight people were arrested and have been charged with offenses including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief, police said. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 May 2026

Police said a total of nine people were arrested, with eight facing charges, including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal mischief. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 3 May 2026

Separately, Comey was federally indicted last year on suspicion of making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional proceedings, but those charges were later dismissed. —Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026

Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent. —Darrell Smith may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

The boy’s attorney Cameron deBrun says Ball’s team has been obstructing the legal process all along. —Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

All of the windows in the common areas faced south, and since there were no neighboring structures obstructing the light, sunshine streamed in unencumbered. —Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026