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
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 stumbling block
Irving's complicated journey with leadership has been well documented, from his controversial trade request from Cleveland to stumbling blocks in Boston and Brooklyn.
—
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
The stumbling blocks to dialogue are immense.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Knowing math can present a stumbling block for many students, so Brewer breaks down concepts and makes learning about numbers fun.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
But over the past few years, Muslim authors have produced bracingly original stories that foreground faith as a cornerstone of identity rather than a stumbling block.
—Hafsa Lodi, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
The stumbling blocks to dialogue are immense.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Knowing math can present a stumbling block for many students, so Brewer breaks down concepts and makes learning about numbers fun.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
But over the past few years, Muslim authors have produced bracingly original stories that foreground faith as a cornerstone of identity rather than a stumbling block.
—Hafsa Lodi, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
The first robot stumbles on aluminum debris, its wheels furiously trying to get traction and move around the obstacle.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
That disconnect is beginning to create what could become the new trust economy—one in which governance, authentication, transparency and accountability become strategic advantages for the companies in this space, rather than just operational or compliance obstacles.—
Jacques Ledbetter,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Moreover, compared to nearby countries that have counteracted the economic effects of aging populations with new immigrants and their children, Italy has set more hurdles on the path to citizenship for those without native ancestry, even if they are born in the country.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
-
Negotiating the first hurdle is followed by three sets of group-phase challenges home and away, played on Thursdays in October, November and December, to make it to the knockout stage in the New Year.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
All were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct along with either endangering another person or obstruction of justice, state police said.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The New Jersey State Police said in a statement that one of those faced a charge of disorderly conduct and endangering another person and the other five were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.—
Daniella Silva,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The order to whitewash America’s historic sites of anything less than rosy about the nation’s past has led to some predictable embarrassments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Nectar Hard Seltzer has been partnering with influencer Kelly Kim to get people to reframe the alcohol flush reaction some people experience, to turn it into a beauty moment instead of embarrassment.—
Jeanette Hurt,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
