obstacle

noun

ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl How to pronounce obstacle (audio)
-ˌsti-
Synonyms of obstacle
: something that impedes progress or achievement
swerved to avoid an obstacle in the road
Lack of experience proved to be an obstacle in her job search.
… elders … often facing daily medical, social, and psychological obstacles.—Vicki Bloom and B. B. Green-Field

Synonyms of obstacle

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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
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.
But negotiations stopped short of limiting MIRVs or antisatellite weapons, and arms control efforts stalled in the early 1980s; after Reagan unveiled his Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983, the project became the chief obstacle to reviving them. — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026 Privacy concerns remain an obstacle Age checks are meant to keep children out of online spaces that are not safe or appropriate for them, whether that’s social media or adult websites. — Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 The authors of the Nature Energy paper found a way around that obstacle by coupling two ultra-thin nickel-titanium films. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026 Whether burrowing through soil or swimming through water, they’re forced to maneuver through narrow gaps in tiny pores, rocks, roots, plants or other obstacles. — K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstacle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin obstaculum, from obstare to stand in front of, from ob- in the way + stare to stand — more at ob-, stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obstacle was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing obstacle

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obsr
obstacle
obstacle course
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Cite this Entry

“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstacle. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

obstacle

noun
ob·​sta·​cle ˈäb-sti-kəl How to pronounce obstacle (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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