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
Joanne and Noah scarcely clash, and even a midseason episode where Joanne’s attraction to Noah is threatened by his eagerness to please her parents barely registers as a stumbling block.
—
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
Williams’ €58m buyout clause, which La Liga rules state must be paid in a single lump sum up front, was another stumbling block.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 11 Aug. 2024
The England international’s £325,000-a-week wages would be a stumbling block too.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Niccol diagnosed Starbucks’ extensive menu as a stumbling block to this goal and plans to cull elaborate drinks and some menu items.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumbling block 
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
Williams’ €58m buyout clause, which La Liga rules state must be paid in a single lump sum up front, was another stumbling block.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 11 Aug. 2024
The England international’s £325,000-a-week wages would be a stumbling block too.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
Niccol diagnosed Starbucks’ extensive menu as a stumbling block to this goal and plans to cull elaborate drinks and some menu items.
—Bysasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for stumbling block
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling block
Noun
-
Discrediting the science As the industry’s recruitment of spokespeople aimed to stem the tide of local gas bans, SoCalGas faced another obstacle: Mounting research that revealed the harmful health effects of gas stoves.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Their change of heart reflects the inconvenient practical obstacles to suddenly cutting off access to a popular platform.—
Johanna Costigan,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
An administration in the future could resurrect the rule and avoid some of the procedural hurdles.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
-
Several parties are in contention even as potential buyers face a litany of legal hurdles and barriers.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The office handed over Yoon’s case to the Seoul prosecutors’ office on Friday and asked it to indict him on charges of rebellion, abuse of power and obstruction of the National Assembly.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Microplastics in the bloodstream can induce cerebral thrombosis by causing cell obstruction and lead to neurobehavioral abnormalities, Science Advances, 11(4).—
Hatty Willmoth,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The embarrassment of midfield riches could, for some, soften the blow of using Ampadu as Struijk’s long-term stand-in.—
Beren Cross,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
-
But on the way out, there was one final embarrassment: a $60 million fine by the NFL against the old owner following the release of an independent investigation, which found workplace misconduct and financial improprieties while Snyder owned the team.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near stumbling block
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20block. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share