OBSTRUCT Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'obstruct' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block , hinder , and impede . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," 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

Q: When can 'block' be used instead of 'obstruct'?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When is 'hinder' a more appropriate choice than 'obstruct'?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

Q: When could 'impede' be used to replace 'obstruct'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct , impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

obstruct

verb

əb-ˈstrəkt

Definition of obstruct

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to block

to prevent passage through by filling with something at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb obstruct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block, hinder, and impede. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," 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

When can block be used instead of obstruct?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is hinder a more appropriate choice than obstruct?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

When could impede be used to replace obstruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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 obstruct Lozano Flores is being held at the Ada County Jail on suspicion of lewd conduct with a child younger than 16, first-degree kidnapping, and resisting and obstructing an officer. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2026 The feds didn’t state a reason for the appeal, but have argued in the lawsuit that the city’s sanctuary protections unconstitutionally obstruct the federal government from enforcing immigration laws. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 24 July 2026 Among its most serious allegations, the report says authorities obstructed rescue operations and humanitarian assistance during the first days after the disaster. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026 The city’s independent watchdog accused police of obstructing her inquiry into the shooting. — Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct

Verb

Obviously, that has yet to harm Mamdani’s popularity or impede the growth of DSA.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
The ruling came over the objections of xAI, which argued that allowing the plaintiffs to remain anonymous would impede its ability to find witnesses and violate the public’s right of access to court proceedings.

— Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

Avoiding represented talent or hindering communication only exacerbates the issue.

— Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Aid organizations have said that community mistrust, insecurity due to armed conflict, and gaps in healthcare have hindered response and containment efforts.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

The administration of antibiotics would trigger a second pathogen that had been occluded inside the first.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Instead, the missing silver may have been right there, in the sun all along, simply occluded from astronomers' view by tricks of physics.

— Rahul Rao, Space.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of occlude

Verb

Powerful winds continued to whip up the flames and hamper aerial operations.

— Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Islamabad — Rescuers searching for 10 climbers missing after an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak located four bodies Friday and were continuing to search for the others despite adverse weather that hampered helicopter flights, officials said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin more than four years after Russia’s all-out invasion of its neighbor.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Russia seeks to subjugate Ukraine and embarrass Europe in its own backyard, while China seeks dominance in East Asia - but their approaches are quite different.

— Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of embarrass

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“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obstruct

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