1
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstruct
After remaining relatively quiet on Sunday, the Republican president in two lengthy social media posts said that Democrats had encouraged people to obstruct law enforcement operations.
—
Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
There is no evidence whatsoever that Pretti obstructed federal law enforcement or incited violence on Saturday.
—Karen Cortes, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement; do not allow rioters to take over the streets and houses of worship; do not hinder federal officials from investigating financial fraud and violations of election laws.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
The Justice Department has separately opened an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Michelle L. Price, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
There is no evidence whatsoever that Pretti obstructed federal law enforcement or incited violence on Saturday.
—Karen Cortes, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Do not obstruct federal immigration enforcement; do not allow rioters to take over the streets and houses of worship; do not hinder federal officials from investigating financial fraud and violations of election laws.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
The Justice Department has separately opened an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
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The Justice Department has separately opened an investigation into whether Minnesota officials impeded or obstructed federal immigration enforcement though their public statements.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Jan. 2026
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Supply chain disruptions continue to be a persistent risk that could impede production increases and impact margins.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, in Spain, totality occurs shortly before sunset, meaning hills, mountains, or buildings might block the view.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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Separately, the season's first heavy snowfall blocked multiple roads leading to Murree, a hill station about 37 miles northeast of Islamabad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Among the factors hindering higher youth participation, CIRCLE research shows, include confusing registration deadlines and requirements, a lack of youth outreach and a dearth of regular curriculum that teaches young people about elections and voting in school.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The fog occluded vision beyond a hundred metres—a distance that polar bears can cover in about ten seconds.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
24 Nov. 2025
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In animal studies, rodents had their middle cerebral artery occluded, a standard stroke model in animals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Although weather conditions in Charlotte improved Monday, the aftermath of the storm continued to hamper travel plans, resulting in an additional 700 cancellations and 465 delays.—
Chase Jordan
January 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
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Read the Story US airlines are still paring back flights as a deep freeze hampers the restart of operations at some major hubs.—
Jordan Erb,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Perhaps the Germans have a word for the experience of watching your country’s leader embarrass himself and the country on the global stage.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
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The Pats are returning to the AFC Championship Game on a road paved by their defense, a defense that snatched four interceptions and embarrassed a precocious young quarterback.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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