hurdle 1 of 2

noun

ˈhər-dᵊl How to pronounce hurdle (audio)
Definition of hurdlenext
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult the many hurdles he had to overcome on the road to success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hurdle

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to leap

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to overcome

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hurdle
Noun
Without Democratic support, the bill faces significant hurdles ahead of the Saturday shutdown deadline. — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 The big picture: In the three separate cases — for which the administration filed three different petitions to the high court — judges issued nationwide injunctions blocking the order, which faces significant constitutional hurdles. — Avery Lotz, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Father and son watched in the stands as Saquon Barkley, the Eagles star running back, pirouetted in midair and hurdled backward over a defender for a 14-yard gain. — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025 Allen hurdling a Cardinals defender into the end zone in Week 1, which seems like a decade ago at this point, also got some love. — Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurdle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurdle
  1. obstacle
  2. leap
  3. overcome
  4. barrier
  5. jump
  6. surmount
  7. skip
  8. best
Noun
  • 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
Definition of obstacle
Verb
  • Netflix added 37 million new subscribers in 2020, while Disney+ leaped to over 70 million subscribers.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Yet leaping to an all-electric mandate without the right infrastructure is an economic disaster waiting to happen, and this new electrical rate increase — up to 11.4% per household— is the first of many financial jolts to our personal budgets.
    — Kris DeLair, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of leap
Verb
  • The plethora of pixels can’t overcome a noise-prone sensor, though, and its picture tends to be soft.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Professionals can take control of their careers by overcoming these challenges and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of overcome
Noun
  • Moreover, less than 5% of Brazil’s Black population speaks English — meaning Black founders are typically up against a significant barrier to international opportunities.
    — Angelica Mari, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to kojic acid, this Best of Beauty Award winner includes the brand's signature goat milk, which is rich in fatty acids that help moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier.
    — Deanna Pai, Allure, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of barrier
Verb
  • When the biggest name in the sport jumps teams, a tsunami hits.
    — Olivia Hicks, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The finale jumps ahead 13 months, exploring the aftermath of the allegations on Jamie’s family.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of jump
Verb
  • Postal workers are renowned for surmounting odds, but one in North Carolina apparently drew the line at reaching past a snake to deliver the mail.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Without that essential training to help surmount powerful systemic barriers, the kit would have been useless—and in that sense, the job is still woefully unfinished.
    — Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
Definition of surmount
Verb
  • Lawyers are telling immigrants to prepare Lawyers cannot advise clients to simply skip the meetings, which would lead to deportation orders.
    — Sophia Tareen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • These two slightly controversial projects in Arden Arcade and in the Rio Linda area received a supermajority of approval votes from residents, but less than the 75% majority that allows such projects to skip board approval.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of skip
Verb
  • This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.
    — Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That streak bested the previous national streak of 65 straight unbeaten games, set by Penn State University in 1941.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of best

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Cite this Entry

“Hurdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurdle. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hurdle

Nglish: Translation of hurdle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hurdle

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