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
Without proper infrastructure, even the most advanced technology can become a stumbling block rather than a solution.
—
Theresa McDonnell, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
There’s a significant stumbling block to that reunion.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
But what seems like a minor infraction many years ago could be a stumbling block.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 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.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Theresa McDonnell, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
There’s a significant stumbling block to that reunion.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
But what seems like a minor infraction many years ago could be a stumbling block.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 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.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
Joint pain that turns stairs into obstacles.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 Jan. 2026
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One other obstacle the White House will need to contend with, Hochstein said, is blowback from Gulf countries and from China.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Billing Headaches Clearing the access hurdles to HIV prevention medicine was just the beginning.—
Zach Dyer,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
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Development of Greenland’s mineral resources is challenging because of the island’s harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have proved an additional hurdle for potential investors.—
Danica Kirka,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In the aftermath, hundreds of rioters were charged with federal crimes, including assault, seditious conspiracy and obstruction of an official proceeding.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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William DeFoor was identified as the suspect, and jail records show he was booked Monday on charges of vandalism, obstruction of official business, criminal damaging or endangering, and criminal trespass.—
Stephen Sorace , Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Vulnerability is currency on reality television, and after a season of exposing their own struggles and embarrassments, the other women are annoyed that Meredith wants to keep up appearances.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
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The current Giants are built to avoid embarrassment, not maximize upside — and Super Bowls require risk.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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