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
Relevance
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
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
Groncki is also charged with obstructing an animal control officer.
—
Dan Raby, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kropp was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, while Cherry was charged with obstructing justice, arrest records show.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Raghuvanshi was out obstructing the field — trying to avoid a run-out.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Dan Raby, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Kropp was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, while Cherry was charged with obstructing justice, arrest records show.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
Raghuvanshi was out obstructing the field — trying to avoid a run-out.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
-
Critics, meanwhile, say the legislation would impede on First Amendment rights.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Do not stop on the roadway or impede traffic.—
Devarrick Turner,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To wrap up Day 2, the Dolphins took a pair of wide receivers and an in-line blocking tight end with their three picks in the third round.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Celtics also blocked three of the Sixers’ final four shots of the third, with Jordan Walsh, Brown and Vucevic all rejecting layups.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Store them in one layer to avoid crushing, and keep them in cool, dry conditions in the fridge to hinder mold growth.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As with everything, such a stunt and the Epstein files disappear, occluded by the crise du jour.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
From Earth’s vantage point—right along the faraway magnetar’s equator—the wobbling disk acted like a film projector’s shutter, periodically occluding our view of the dead star supercharging SN 2024afav.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The intensity of the flames and the resulting smoke, compounded by the fact that the fire spread over the area mostly after dark, hampered the aerial firefighting strategy.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That said, some women would be wise not to embarrass themselves under the brighter lights that Clark brings.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
