as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
an obstruction in the drain has the water all backed up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of obstructions
But the Scot hooked his second shot from a wet fairway on the 609-yard closing hole — a par 5 that yielded only 10 birdies in the final round — and even after getting relief from temporary immovable obstructions, MacIntyre could only hit wedge to 30 feet.
—
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.
—Adam Bluestein, Scientific American, 5 Apr. 2026
Their flight plan for Friday also included rehearsals of basic medical procedures — including chest compressions and methods to clear airway obstructions — to help prepare future Orion crews for possible emergencies in deep space.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Altogether, there were some 252 obstructions around Mexico.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
An explanation as to how the FAA is ensuring awareness of existing regulations on markings and notifications of obstructions, and how the agency will work with others to share those policies.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Flat roofs with parapets (side walls), stepped roofs, saw-tooth roofs, and roofs with chimneys and other obstructions on top can collect snow in an unbalanced manner, the agency said.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orion’s solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation.
—Adam Bluestein, Scientific American, 5 Apr. 2026
Their flight plan for Friday also included rehearsals of basic medical procedures — including chest compressions and methods to clear airway obstructions — to help prepare future Orion crews for possible emergencies in deep space.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday and Thursday, the Public Works Department was staging equipment, working to clear debris from roads and inspecting drainages for obstructions ahead of the next storm’s arrival Thursday night.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Currently, the Port Authority pays to have obstructions removed.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Altogether, there were some 252 obstructions around Mexico.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 2026
An explanation as to how the FAA is ensuring awareness of existing regulations on markings and notifications of obstructions, and how the agency will work with others to share those policies.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Flat roofs with parapets (side walls), stepped roofs, saw-tooth roofs, and roofs with chimneys and other obstructions on top can collect snow in an unbalanced manner, the agency said.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructions
Noun
-
Making a robot run is not a simple task and requires precise balance control, terrain handling (uneven surfaces), endurance, navigation, and anti-interference capabilities (noise, obstacles, etc).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Football matchups featuring the Pac-12 legacy schools make loads of sense but face several obstacles.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sticking points ahead of a US-Iran deal less resemble insurmountable hurdles, and more smaller details of pride and positioning.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
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Outside of its finances, Snap has grappled with other hurdles.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Address a gopher threat proactively through weed control and laying down barriers.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Virtual psychology removes outdated barriers by merging medical scrutiny with convenience, helping individuals move from uncertainty toward greater clarity.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructions. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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