as in obstacles
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 blocks
Since then, the process has stretched to require four different levels of review, each with a list of procedural requirements that pose stumbling blocks for prisoners seeking help.
—
Christie Thompson,
NPR,
17 June 2026
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
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
One of the stumbling blocks—the principal stumbling block—to his doing more with Presley was the boy's manager, Bob Neal, who seemed infuriatingly unsusceptible to persuasion, promotion, or even recognition of his own (let alone his artist's) ever-increasing opportunities.
—
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
The company launched its eleventh Starship test rocket earlier this month following a string of stumbling blocks and explosions.
—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Christie Thompson,
NPR,
17 June 2026
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
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
One of the stumbling blocks—the principal stumbling block—to his doing more with Presley was the boy's manager, Bob Neal, who seemed infuriatingly unsusceptible to persuasion, promotion, or even recognition of his own (let alone his artist's) ever-increasing opportunities.
—
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2025
The company launched its eleventh Starship test rocket earlier this month following a string of stumbling blocks and explosions.
—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling blocks
Noun
-
Already, the dune had swallowed up the northern part of the parking lot along with trees and other obstacles in its way.
-
With so many preparation obstacles, Ghalenoei leaned on experience against Belgium, sending out the oldest starting 11 at a World Cup match since 1966, according to Opta.
Noun
-
Working with researchers at the Freie Universität Berlin, the University of Edinburgh, and Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, IQM has developed a new family of error correction called directional tile codes, addressing major hurdles in quantum error correction.
-
The bill targets the cost of construction, regulatory red tape, zoning restrictions, and banking hurdles.
Noun
-
To have the best chance of viewing the planetary alignment, find a spot free of light pollution and a view of the horizon without obstructions like trees or tall buildings.
-
Not just crashes, but obstructions, emergency scene conflicts, unexpected stops in travel lanes and response-time performance.
Noun
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The race was red-flagged, so crews could clean up the mess and inspect the barriers.
-
Lauzon also serves as a community engagement manager and designed the project to give emerging and underrepresented artists a place to sell their work without financial barriers.
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20blocks. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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