OBSTRUCT Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'obstruct' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block , hinder , and impede . While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way. // the view was obstructed by billboards

Q: When can 'block' be used instead of 'obstruct'?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress. // a landslide blocked the road

Q: When is 'hinder' a more appropriate choice than 'obstruct'?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress. // rain hindered the climb

Q: When could 'impede' be used to replace 'obstruct'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct , impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering. // tight clothing that impedes movement

obstruct

verb

əb-ˈstrəkt

Definition of obstruct next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb obstruct contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obstruct are block, hinder, and impede. While all these words mean "to interfere with the activity or progress of," obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

When can block be used instead of obstruct?

The meanings of block and obstruct largely overlap; however, block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

When is hinder a more appropriate choice than obstruct?

The synonyms hinder and obstruct are sometimes interchangeable, but hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

When could impede be used to replace obstruct?

While in some cases nearly identical to obstruct, impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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 Police forced their way into the residence and were obstructed by what was described as hoarding conditions, according to Smith. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2025 The Rocklin resident pleaded guilty in August 2022 to obstructing the vote tally certifying Biden as the 46th president. —

Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 21 Jan. 2025 Brandon Fellows, 30, who served time at the D.C. jail after being convicted of, among other charges, obstructing the certification of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s electoral victory, addressed the crowd. —

Aishvarya Kavi, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 More than 600 defendants were charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder. —

Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,spencer Kimball,christina Wilkie,annie Nova,brian Evans,alex Harring,yun Li, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for obstruct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct

Verb

Walker, in fact, explains that one of the by-products of alcohol metabolism is a class of chemicals, known as aldehydes, that are especially prone to impede REM sleep.

— Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
These teams all have franchise players to build around and some contracts that would impede them from fully committing to the tear-down process.

— Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025