obstruct

verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
obstructed; obstructing; obstructs
Synonyms of obstruct

transitive verb

1
: to block or close up by an obstacle
A piece of food obstructed his airway.
The road was obstructed by a fallen tree.
2
: to hinder from passage, action, or operation : impede
Constant interruptions obstruct our progress.
was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators
3
: to cut off from sight
A wall obstructs the view.
obstructive
əb-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
adjective or noun
obstructiveness noun
obstructor
əb-ˈstrək-tər How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
noun

Synonyms of obstruct

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hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of obstruct in a Sentence

A large tree obstructed the road. A piece of food obstructed his airway and caused him to stop breathing. She was charged with obstructing police. She was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The attorney, Paul Robinson, is accused of tampering, concealing evidence and obstructing the investigation. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 Paul Robinson, the father of a student, is alleged to have tried to conceal evidence and obstruct the investigation. — Michael Guise, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 In 1980 Bonanno was convicted of conspiring to obstruct justice by interfering with a grand jury’s inquiry into money-laundering allegations involving companies run by his sons in California. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 Fake, obstructed, and missing plates are a major concern with cars and undoubtedly would be with MMVs. — Richard Robbins, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruct

Word History

Etymology

Latin obstructus, past participle of obstruere, from ob- in the way + struere to build, heap up — more at ob-, strew

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obstruct was in 1590

Rhymes for obstruct

See All Rhymes for obstruct

Browse Nearby Words

obstropolous
obstruct
obstruction
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruct. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

obstruct

verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
1
: to close up by an obstacle
a fallen tree obstructed the roadway
2
: to be or get in the way of : hinder
lying to the police obstructs justice

Medical Definition

obstruct

transitive verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt, äb- How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
: to block or close up by an obstacle
veins obstructed by clots

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

Nglish: Translation of obstruct for Spanish Speakers

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