obstacle
noun
ob·sta·cle
ˈäb-sti-kəl 
-ˌsti-
: something that impedes progress or achievement
Mosquitoes were a great obstacle to the building of the Panama Canal.
… elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.—
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-FieldExamples of obstacle in a Sentence
He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect.
They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened.
Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent.
She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.
Recent Examples on the Web
The challenge of problem-solving and overcoming high-stakes obstacles.
—Jovan Buha, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The final three are for ensuring successful implementation of the decision: foresight, which is the habit of setting goals; alertness, the habit of having situational awareness; and preparedness, the habit of anticipating and avoiding obstacles to implementation.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Firing federal officials Trump has aggressively targeted federal employees seen as obstacles to his agenda, from career bureaucrats to political appointees.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
In today’s challenging economic climate, small businesses are constantly battling financial obstacles.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
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Jovan Buha, New York Times, 3 May 2025
The final three are for ensuring successful implementation of the decision: foresight, which is the habit of setting goals; alertness, the habit of having situational awareness; and preparedness, the habit of anticipating and avoiding obstacles to implementation.
—Andrew Abela, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Firing federal officials Trump has aggressively targeted federal employees seen as obstacles to his agenda, from career bureaucrats to political appointees.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 May 2025
In today’s challenging economic climate, small businesses are constantly battling financial obstacles.
—Jon Stojan, USA Today, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
Cite this Entry
“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstacle. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstacle
noun
ob·sta·cle
ˈäb-sti-kəl
: something that stands in the way of progress or achievement : hindrance
drove around the obstacles in the road
didn't let shortness be an obstacle to a basketball career
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