OBSTACLE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

obstacle

noun

ˈäb-sti-kəl

Definition of obstacle

as in hurdle

something that makes movement or progress difficult stumbling on all the obstacles along the path

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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 obstacle That inability to generalize across tasks and environments is the central obstacle facing the entire industry, Wang told the conference. — Anniek Bao,jenni Reid,jenny Lee, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Two inequalities, of wealth and and of time, are the obstacle to the game-changing revolution in healthcare that these drugs represent. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 The vehicle clearly recognizes the obstacles in the way and freezes in place for around a minute, occasionally fidgeting with the steering wheel and pulsing the brakes. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026 In a sport obsessed with scoring from the perimeter, her highlight reel, Williams’ claim to notoriety, lies almost entirely on her prowess as an elite defender, an impassable obstacle. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstacle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacle

Noun

Russia's small and medium businesses already have been hit hard by tax increases, regulatory hurdles and, most recently, a fuel crisis from attacks on oil refineries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Harper Hutton, 12, of Aurora Flyers, placed second in the girls pentathlon high jump, fourth in the pentathlon 80-meter hurdles and pentathlon long jump and fifth in the girls pentathlon shot put.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

Rachel Moser is charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering of evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Some may also face charges for battery, obstruction and resisting a police officer.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of obstruction

Noun

Subsurface barrier walls are frequently used to block saltwater intrusion and protect buildings from groundwater, for example.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 15 Aug. 2026
Spain has also installed floating barriers in the waters where migrants had previously swam across.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of barrier

Browse Nearby Words

obsoleteness

obstacle

obstacles

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“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacle. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obstacle

noun

Example Sentences

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