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 The emergency appeal is among several the high court is considering in which the Justice Department argues that lower-court judges have improperly obstructed President Donald Trump's agenda. Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025 Newman was charged with obstructing governmental administration. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 4 Apr. 2025 But the schools chief enforced his right to stay on until June and has obstructed the mayor’s maneuvers to punt the MEABF to CPS every step of the way. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 To the north cloudy skies are likely to obstruct views of the solar eclipse in places such as Boston. Katrina Miller, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
  • Removing opportunities for public commentary could impede the department’s ability to operate in the public’s interest, according to experts who spoke with Reuters.
    Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The charges were first dropped a few weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term in part because the case would impede Adams’ ability to do his job as mayor, including cooperating with Trump’s immigration crackdown, the Justice Department’s new acting deputy attorney general wrote.
    Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The current junta similarly blocked relief in 2023 after Cyclone Mocha, denying visas to aid workers and holding up aid packages in customs.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Nine House Republicans voted against House Speaker Mike Johnson's plan to block proxy voting for new parents on Tuesday.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Related article Recession odds are rising as Trump’s trade war escalates, Goldman Sachs says The economy faces a growing risk of a recession as tariffs could hinder growth, increase unemployment and contribute to inflation, according to Goldman Sachs.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Such rigid mentalities can lead team members to avoid challenges, fear failure and resist feedback, which ultimately hinders their organizations’ overall business growth.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Likewise, in the United States, the obsession with Russian interference and the madcap speculation that Trump is a Kremlin asset have helped occlude many of the domestic problems that made Trump’s homegrown victory possible.
    Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 21 May 2019
  • And, in every case, banal commentary is slowly occluding the art, seeping into it in boldface titles or explainers that speak over the sound or cover the image.
    Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Frederiksen said that other European nations are also on Denmark's side in this back-and-forth with Trump, already hampering the ties between the U.S. and its allies since Trump regained office.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • With a starting rotation hampered by injuries, the Mets are going to rely on the offense and bullpen to get them through the beginning of the season.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the medical-looking royal blue bottles of nicotine lozenges embarrassed her.
    Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Many of them had to fail, repeat, embarrass themselves, risk everything, and learn.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

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