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
Take Calculated Risks; Start Lean Entrepreneurs should welcome uncertainty as a catalyst, not an obstacle.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.
—Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Now the company has demonstrated its agility chops by having the squat bot hop over low fencing, climb stairs and clear obstacles with aplomb.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faced a similar obstacle in the form of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former GOP leader who would never allow a liberal spending bill through the upper chamber.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstacle
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Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
In Region 4 in Spokane, the biggest obstacle facing the No. 2 seed Huskies is No. 1 seed USC — which defeated UConn in Hartford in December.
—Scott Phillips, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Now the company has demonstrated its agility chops by having the squat bot hop over low fencing, climb stairs and clear obstacles with aplomb.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2025
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faced a similar obstacle in the form of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the former GOP leader who would never allow a liberal spending bill through the upper chamber.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 14 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 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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