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
Missing out on Champions League qualification is unlikely to be a major stumbling block given that, in theory at least, Chelsea should be in a better position to challenge for silverware next season and more readily able to compete in Europe’s blue-chip competition longer term than Villa.
—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 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
However, Rayner’s recent history in the Labour Party could prove to be a stumbling block, experts note.
—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 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
However, Rayner’s recent history in the Labour Party could prove to be a stumbling block, experts note.
—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
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There was an element of cynicism, but not on the part of determined prosecutors who overcame obstacles and brought the case to guilty pleas by three defendants and the conviction on 21 counts of the public official who ignited the scandal.
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But obstacles veered her away from art for years.
Noun
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However, there are still some hurdles to surmount, particularly financing.
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Here’s how experts suggest overcoming these hurdles.
Noun
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That airflow obstruction sends oxygen levels plummeting, stimulating the pulmonary arteries to squeeze.
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Nixon then inserted himself into an obstruction of justice case by talking with an aide about blocking the FBI investigation, which eventually led to an impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives and his eventual resignation.
Noun
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In 1952, Sarris’ teenage mother gave him up for adoption, her family hoping to evade the embarrassment of their Jewish daughter becoming pregnant by a Native American Filipino man.
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Two months after that April embarrassment, the Charlotte Hornets took a positive step to rectify their obvious lack of physicality.
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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