STUMBLING BLOCK Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

stumbling block

noun

ˈstəm-bliŋ-

Definition of stumbling block

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 The talent was clearly there, but there was always a stumbling block. — ABC News, 14 June 2026 In other words, the very wealth being used to finance the campaign becomes a stumbling block for many voters. — Garry South, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 Look For Industry Expertise Deciding whether to build or buy agentic AI software can be a stumbling block. — Jay Bhatty, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Abstraction is a mode of art-making that can be a stumbling block for biennial curators, who often can’t quite figure out what to do with it. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for stumbling block

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block

Noun

Despite the obstacles, families will be moving into the two units within the next few weeks and will be able to stay for as long as necessary.

— Julianna Mejia July 16, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Any effort to federalize or take over elections would face serious legal obstacles, said Nahal Kazemi, a Chapman University law professor.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of obstacle

Noun

To directly address these technical, safety, and regulatory hurdles, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the international energy technology firm Eni have established a new commercial engineering services company named RH3OVA.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026
There are still some hurdles to get Trout to the game this year.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 5 July 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

Land's End is one of the best places on mainland Britain to watch the eclipse because of its vast Atlantic horizon and minimal obstruction toward the west-northwest.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 July 2026
Frequently check for obstructions in the material, like staples or screws, and keep two hands on the saw to improve control and stability.

— Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026

Definition of obstruction

Noun

In the first half of the album, Dean explores unstable characters—bearing some resemblance, perhaps, to their indie-sleaze peers—with both second-hand embarrassment and fascination.

— Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026
By every ordinary rule of public life, the South Station scene should have induced annoyance or caused embarrassment.

— Julia Dhar, Time, 11 July 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Browse Nearby Words

stumbling

stumbling block

stumbling blocks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of stumbling block

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

raffish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes