as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult
the only stumbling block to our move across the country was finding someone to adopt our cats
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 stumbling block
The stumbling blocks to dialogue are immense.
—
Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Knowing math can present a stumbling block for many students, so Brewer breaks down concepts and makes learning about numbers fun.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Another stumbling block is that legacy data architecture, the pre-existing data structures companies already have in place, is usually built for standard data reporting, not AI-powered intelligence.
—Jonathan Levanon, Forbes.com, 10 Mar. 2026
But over the past few years, Muslim authors have produced bracingly original stories that foreground faith as a cornerstone of identity rather than a stumbling block.
—Hafsa Lodi, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Knowing math can present a stumbling block for many students, so Brewer breaks down concepts and makes learning about numbers fun.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Another stumbling block is that legacy data architecture, the pre-existing data structures companies already have in place, is usually built for standard data reporting, not AI-powered intelligence.
—Jonathan Levanon, Forbes.com, 10 Mar. 2026
But over the past few years, Muslim authors have produced bracingly original stories that foreground faith as a cornerstone of identity rather than a stumbling block.
—Hafsa Lodi, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
Another obstacle is that the group hasn’t secured a stadium site.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Black entrepreneurs continue to face tremendous obstacles securing funding, city contracts and institutional support.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Newport Harbor multi-event standout Natalie McCarty qualified in the 100 and 300 hurdles.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
-
Iran is moving its World Cup training base from Tucson to Tijuana, the president of the country’s soccer federation said Saturday, removing one of the final hurdles to its participation in this summer’s tournament.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Mailyan is due to be sentenced on September 10, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and five years in prison for each count of obstruction.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
-
Washington, under Trump, views this not as an independent initiative but as an obstruction, and is increasingly willing to use tariffs, energy threats, and diplomatic pressure to bring Paris back into line.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The month brings Wale and an embarrassment of other hip-hop riches, Orville Peck, Bleachers, Keiyaa and more.—
Chris Kelly,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
-
Shankar shares that fewer than half of older adults who fall report it to their physician, often out of embarrassment or fear of losing independence.—
Adaira Landry,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
