OBSTRUCTION Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

obstruction

noun

əb-ˈstrək-shən

Definition of obstruction

as in obstacle

something that makes movement or progress difficult an obstruction in the drain has the water all backed up

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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 Cameras mounted on city vehicles and Chicago Transit Authority buses capture the obstructions, and tickets are issued by the city’s Department of Finance. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 Seniors who are more likely to have chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease or chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD, should be especially mindful of exposure to wildfire smoke. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 July 2026 The pattern includes shootings and attacks on farmers, as well as arson, property destruction, road obstruction, and the intimidation or expulsion of entire communities. — Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 The scandal led to Clinton's impeachment in December 1998 on the grounds of perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruction

Noun

Lack of trust and resistance from locals remain one of the biggest obstacles to containing the outbreak, according to authorities and health workers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
And while this author might be hung up on the obstacles Odysseus encounters, his travels are not without pleasure and thrill.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of obstacle

Noun

Yet another hurdle is Chicago Parking Meters itself, which has threatened to sue the city if the council doesn’t approve the Stonepeak deal.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
For instance, non-invasive EEG systems generally capture weaker and noisier signals than implanted brain devices, making accuracy and reliability critical hurdles.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

By coach Cheryl Reeve’s standard, Saturday night’s match against the Portland Fire was a defensive embarrassment.

— Anya Armentrout, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
Was Trump, reportedly livid over the Air Force One leak, concerned about the risk to security—or about the prospect of personal embarrassment due to the failings of a questionable gift that had cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars to upgrade?

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 July 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Noun

The Vision, led by Logan Paul, secured a win against Je'Von Evans and Dragon Lee, overcoming post-match interference from Otis and Akira Tozawa.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Electronic warfare, communications interference, bandwidth limitations, or physical obstacles can disrupt connectivity.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026

Definition of interference

Noun

The surge in gray divorces is also often driven by women – who have long faced restrictive gender norms in conservative Asian societies, as well as legal, financial, and social barriers to seeking divorce.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
The near silence amid the height of the pandemic prompted Johnson’s campaign for noise barriers.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of barrier

Browse Nearby Words

obstructing

obstruction

obstructions

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“Obstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruction. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of obstruction

noun

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