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 One claim, filed in August 2024 and reviewed by The Associated Press, seeks compensatory and punitive damages over the Mar-a-Lago search and subsequent criminal case accusing Trump of hoarding classified records and obstructing efforts to recover them. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 He was later released into the custody of deputies and charged with assault on a government official, disorderly conduct, and resisting, obstructing, and/or delaying an arrest, authorities said. Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2025 Brockman was released without charges – either for obstructing justice or assault – after about seven hours of detention, according to her attorneys. Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025 The Department of Justice has encouraged agents to arrest anyone interfering with immigration operations, twice ordering law enforcement to prioritize cases of those suspected of obstructing, interfering with or assaulting immigration officials. Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstruct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct
Verb
  • Six citizens were arrested for impeding and threatening to kill agents.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Martinez has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding officers.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • These tools can block dangerous websites, alert you to phishing attempts and keep your personal data secure.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Foothill also combined for six blocks and slowed down several kill attempts by partially blocking balls at the net.
    Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If one team’s CNAPP operations will hinder another’s, neither benefits.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
  • At the same time, his efforts to sell soybean-producing farmland could be hindered by the current trade climate that’s pushed soybean prices down.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In animal studies, rodents had their middle cerebral artery occluded, a standard stroke model in animals.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Oct. 2025
  • For example, if a ball rolled behind some occluding object and temporarily disappeared from view, the model generated an error when the ball didn’t reappear from behind the object in future frames.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Laboratory testing capacities at the CDC and expert guidance to analyze local trends may also be hampered during the shutdown, experts say.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The New York Mets fell short of the postseason in embarrassing fashion last season, so this offseason is going to be more important than ever.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

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