as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
an obstruction in the drain has the water all backed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 obstruction
Dugan is charged with concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor, and obstruction, which is a felony.
—
Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The excerpts appear to offer a detailed account of the day Elvis’ only child died inside a San Fernando Valley community hospital from complications surrounding a small bowel obstruction linked to a prior bariatric surgery.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
In December 2022, Kendra Licari was arrested and charged with five counts, including stalking a minor and obstruction of justice, ABC News and Today reported at the time.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump contends blue slips are being abused as a tool of partisan obstruction.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
The excerpts appear to offer a detailed account of the day Elvis’ only child died inside a San Fernando Valley community hospital from complications surrounding a small bowel obstruction linked to a prior bariatric surgery.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
In December 2022, Kendra Licari was arrested and charged with five counts, including stalking a minor and obstruction of justice, ABC News and Today reported at the time.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump contends blue slips are being abused as a tool of partisan obstruction.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruction
Noun
-
The difficulty in getting rid of players other than those whose contracts expired this summer (Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez and Jesus Vallejo) was a significant obstacle.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
To overcome this obstacle, the MIT team employed lithium-6 atoms, a rare isotope whose resonance frequency shifts depending on temperature.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even if the discharge petition is successful, the underlying bill would have to clear many more hurdles.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Reports have also pointed to practical hurdles for Optimus, including production bottlenecks, hand dexterity issues, and leadership turnover on the program.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Claudia Choose vulnerability over performative coolness, because possible embarrassment is way more powerful than polished detachment.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The companies showing off their cases with a lighter white or silvery iPhone 17 Pro in product shots mostly dodged any embarrassment, as those are harder to distinguish from Apple’s actual silver color.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, there is proven evidence of interference by the Israeli government during the most recent edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, in which the event was used as a political instrument.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Later in the game, he got beat on a big play by Packers wide receiver Malik Heath that Lattimore thought should have been an offensive pass interference.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Affordable Care Act in 2010 expanded access to the reviews, but barriers regularly get in the way of the process serving as a true check on insurers.—
Duaa Eldeib,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Modi was responding to a post by Trump on Truth Social, which said that New Delhi and Washington were continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers between both nations.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruction. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share