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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstruct
After their arrest in Maryland last week, all three were charged with trespassing and obstructing and hindering police activity, both misdemeanors.
—
Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
Thomas was charged with obstructing government administration and resisting arrest.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Four of the defendants — Cabello, Chavez, Morales and Sanchez — pleaded not guilty to initial charges in Ohio of participating in a criminal gang, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, obstructing official business and possession of criminal tools, according to court records.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
The leader of a political region within the broader nation, Dodik was at the time under U.S. sanctions by the Trump administration for actively obstructing American efforts to prevent more bloodshed.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 25 Feb. 2025
Thomas was charged with obstructing government administration and resisting arrest.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025
Four of the defendants — Cabello, Chavez, Morales and Sanchez — pleaded not guilty to initial charges in Ohio of participating in a criminal gang, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, obstructing official business and possession of criminal tools, according to court records.
—Andrew Blankstein, NBC News, 19 Feb. 2025
The leader of a political region within the broader nation, Dodik was at the time under U.S. sanctions by the Trump administration for actively obstructing American efforts to prevent more bloodshed.
—Brett Murphy, ProPublica, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
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However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies.—
Mariana Mazzucato,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Henry noted that Reese also attempts many of her layups underhanded, a technique that places the ball low enough for smaller guards such as Skylar Diggins-Smith to block her shot.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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Judges already have issued more than 40 orders to temporarily block Trump's actions.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Hamby noted older teens in high school should be mindful of behaviors that hinder their personal growth.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN,
8 Mar. 2025
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CIOs and CTOs must be prepared to address the following: • Adoption Resistance: Employee apprehension about AI replacing jobs can hinder adoption.—
Mohit Gupta,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And, in every case, banal commentary is slowly occluding the art, seeping into it in boldface titles or explainers that speak over the sound or cover the image.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2025
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So even at the time, her identity was partly occluded by that of her husband.—
Katrina Gulliver,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
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This complexity hampers everything from vulnerability triage to compliance audits, ironically undermining the very protections these tools promise.—
Aviv Mussinger,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the All-Star game embarrassed everyone who has ever picked up a basketball.—
Troy Renck,
The Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2025
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Callers are encouraged to share details that range from embarrassing to criminal.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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