as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the only stumbling block to our move across the country was finding someone to adopt our cats
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Recent Examples of stumbling block
The change could prove a stumbling block for people who need to ensure that mail such as bill payments, taxes or voting ballots are postmarked by specific dates.
—
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
However, one of the stumbling blocks on this pathway is borate, which is a family of common compounds found in seawater.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Cannon’s second and third languages become stumbling blocks for the reader, and visual shortcuts for emotional distance.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Overcoming Challenges Rickson’s journey wasn’t without its stumbling blocks.
—K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
However, one of the stumbling blocks on this pathway is borate, which is a family of common compounds found in seawater.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Cannon’s second and third languages become stumbling blocks for the reader, and visual shortcuts for emotional distance.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025
Overcoming Challenges Rickson’s journey wasn’t without its stumbling blocks.
—K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
Flying the morning of an important presentation may not raise any obvious red flags, but that tight scheduling leaves no margin for unexpected obstacles, like weather events or mechanical issues.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The obstacles are mutable and insidious.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Years of inflation, high mortgage rates and skyrocketing home prices have made buying a home a major hurdle for many Americans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Barrios said the money for vehicle maintenance could help pay to replace the city’s Chollas Operation Yard, which can’t be rebuilt or expanded because of environmental hurdles.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His charges were reduced to misdemeanor obstruction of government administration and harassment, the outlet said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Valmir Krasniqi, 35, the manager at Positano, a Bay Ridge restaurant prosecutors say has ties to organized crime figures, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in Brooklyn Federal Court Wednesday, and could face up to six years behind bars based on sentencing guidelines.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Holding said his face was burning with embarrassment.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2026
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Online care lowers barriers, reduces embarrassment and helps people who might otherwise stay silent for years.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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