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
Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.
—Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.
—Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
The project highlights their determination and teamwork in overcoming obstacles during the renovation process.
—USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
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Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Many beneficiaries already face obstacles getting through to the Social Security’s phone lines to make an in-person appointment and then need to drive to a field office, said Kathleen Romig, director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025
Your passion must propel you forward when obstacles arise.
—Jay Ruderman, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2025
The project highlights their determination and teamwork in overcoming obstacles during the renovation process.
—USA Today, 7 Apr. 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 23 Apr. 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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