as in fences
a physical object that blocks the way
there was a big barrier plastered with signs saying "Keep Out" around the trash compactor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barriers
Families, educators and advocates described barriers to accessing proper support and services.
—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The Selma-to-Montgomery marches galvanized passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which did away with most barriers such as poll taxes and other forms of voter discrimination targeting Black Americans in the Deep South.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
So for us, seeing all of these different types of producers, artists, and performers crossing boundaries and barriers with different music genres is very rewarding.
—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 June 2026
Black Americans have broken barriers once thought impossible.
—
Sophia A. Nelson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The Broadway production has also formed an official partnership with mental health nonprofit Project Healthy Minds to reduce barriers to care by making support options for mental health services easily accessible to those in need.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Despite these advantages, apoB testing has faced barriers to widespread clinical adoption, largely because of inconsistent guidance on how to interpret and apply the results.
—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
And, despite the VRA, Black Americans still face longer lines to vote, are more likely to have their ballots rejected and are more likely to face barriers to voter registration than their white counterparts.
—
Anthony G. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
Discrimination and biased assumptions are among the greatest barriers facing people with Down syndrome.
—
Michelle Sie Whitten,
STAT,
25 June 2026
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
The Selma-to-Montgomery marches galvanized passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which did away with most barriers such as poll taxes and other forms of voter discrimination targeting Black Americans in the Deep South.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
So for us, seeing all of these different types of producers, artists, and performers crossing boundaries and barriers with different music genres is very rewarding.
—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
30 June 2026
Black Americans have broken barriers once thought impossible.
—
Sophia A. Nelson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The Broadway production has also formed an official partnership with mental health nonprofit Project Healthy Minds to reduce barriers to care by making support options for mental health services easily accessible to those in need.
—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
27 June 2026
Despite these advantages, apoB testing has faced barriers to widespread clinical adoption, largely because of inconsistent guidance on how to interpret and apply the results.
—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
26 June 2026
And, despite the VRA, Black Americans still face longer lines to vote, are more likely to have their ballots rejected and are more likely to face barriers to voter registration than their white counterparts.
—
Anthony G. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
Discrimination and biased assumptions are among the greatest barriers facing people with Down syndrome.
—
Michelle Sie Whitten,
STAT,
25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barriers
Noun
-
The fire is moving so rapidly that authorities urged ranchers and residents to cut their fences so their animals might have a better chance of surviving.
-
Law enforcement officials frequently draw virtual fences around areas of interest and require Google to identify every cellphone in the area using cell location history.
Noun
-
The walls are lined with paintings done by her husband, Igor — a painter and sculptor whom The Times profiled in 1991.
-
The household guard allows Rhaenyra and Daemon to land their dragons within the walls of the Red Keep.
Noun
-
Security is ramping up Amidst the barricades already set up, additional officers, units and tactical personnel are expected around the venue.
-
She was forced to wait until the next morning, when shooting stopped, to find a motorcycle taxi driver willing to navigate around barricades and checkpoints to reach the maternity hospital.
Noun
-
Crews can drive directly into rivers or lakes without installing additional equipment, allowing the vehicle to continue moving even when water obstacles stand in the way.
-
Remember, your perspective shapes your reality—choose to see opportunities over obstacles.
Cite this Entry
“Barriers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barriers. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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