obstacle
noun
ob·sta·cle
ˈäb-sti-kəl 
-ˌsti-
: something that impedes progress or achievement
Mosquitoes were a great obstacle to the building of the Panama Canal.
… elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.—
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field
Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-FieldSynonyms
Examples of obstacle in a Sentence
He overcame the obstacles of poverty and neglect.
They must overcome a number of obstacles before the restaurant can be opened.
Lack of experience is a major obstacle for her opponent.
She swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road.
Recent Examples on the Web
Here are steps that can help ensure a smooth integration process, addressing potential obstacles and strategies to overcome them:
1.
—Brian Moroney, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Another political obstacle: The fossil-fuel industry has turned natural gas into a culture-war issue by bombarding Americans with the message that woke liberals are coming to take away their gas stoves and gas drilling jobs.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
But Republicans would have undone more had there been fewer procedural obstacles.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024
Those disagreements, however, are no substitute for asserting plausible facts or viable legal theories, or for overcoming fatal jurisdictional and immunity obstacles.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstacle 
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Brian Moroney, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Another political obstacle: The fossil-fuel industry has turned natural gas into a culture-war issue by bombarding Americans with the message that woke liberals are coming to take away their gas stoves and gas drilling jobs.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
But Republicans would have undone more had there been fewer procedural obstacles.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024
Those disagreements, however, are no substitute for asserting plausible facts or viable legal theories, or for overcoming fatal jurisdictional and immunity obstacles.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obstacle
Dictionary Entries Near obstacle
Cite this Entry
“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstacle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obstacle
noun
ob·sta·cle
ˈäb-sti-kəl
: something that stands in the way of progress or achievement : hindrance
drove around the obstacles in the road
didn't let shortness be an obstacle to a basketball career
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