as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult
an obstruction in the drain has the water all backed up
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Recent Examples of obstructions
If safe, residents are asked to remove any obstructions to the public street, right of way, and sidewalk.
—
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 6 May 2026
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
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
Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 6 May 2026
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
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
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These obstacles seemed insurmountable, but the group pushed on for over three years.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
The stadium deal in Vancouver is one of the biggest obstacles in trying to keep the team there.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Some Democrats revive the promise of single-payer healthcare Some of the sharpest exchanges occurred over single-payer healthcare, a policy vision that Newsom embraced on the campaign trail and abandoned in office when faced with the daunting price tag and political hurdles.—
Ben Paviour
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Despite the initial hurdles, Hale persevered in a house full of toxic haters and fought her way back from the very bottom of the pecking order to become the first Black woman to win Big Brother and the show’s America’s Favorite Player award in one fell swoop.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
Noun
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The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Educating women on maternal health matters is just one of the initiatives of the nonprofit that hopes to break down health access barriers in a tangible way.—
Allison Kiehl,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructions. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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