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
Studios, whose business model is founded on strong copyright protections, have expressed concern that AI tools could be inhibited by regulatory obstacles.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Leaders should face obstacles with a growth mindset — challenges are opportunities to learn, innovate and demonstrate grit, inspiring their teams to do the same.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
With growth and evolution, there's going to always be some kind of obstacle.
—Nathan Vinson, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Growth challenge Fintech firms targeting high-net-worth investors face some obstacles too.
—Kevin Lim, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obstacle 
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Gene Maddaus, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Leaders should face obstacles with a growth mindset — challenges are opportunities to learn, innovate and demonstrate grit, inspiring their teams to do the same.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2025
With growth and evolution, there's going to always be some kind of obstacle.
—Nathan Vinson, People.com, 28 Jan. 2025
Growth challenge Fintech firms targeting high-net-worth investors face some obstacles too.
—Kevin Lim, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
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 1 Feb. 2025.
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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