roadblock

noun

road·​block ˈrōd-ˌbläk How to pronounce roadblock (audio)
Synonyms of roadblocknext
1
a
: a barricade often with traps or mines for holding up an enemy at a point on a road covered by fire
b
: a road barricade set up especially by law enforcement officers
2
: an obstruction in a road
3
: something that blocks progress or prevents accomplishment of an objective
roadblock transitive verb

Examples of roadblock in a Sentence

That's the one roadblock to the plan. roadblocks on the path to success
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.
The way the central couple navigates the twists, turns, roadblocks and unforced errors that entangle their budding relationship is the beating heart of these films. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 DeSoto’s drop to Class 5A clears a major roadblock for Southlake Carroll, and Euless Trinity gets a rare shot at ending a four-season district title drought by avoiding Carroll and North Crowley in district play. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 ThredUp said 38 percent of respondents cite logistics and operational gaps as roadblocks, but 32 percent recognize RaaS for being a way to bypass friction and accelerate readiness. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 The latest roadblock in his path, a group of state attorneys general seeking to stop the deal, may be his toughest yet. — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for roadblock

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of roadblock was in 1913

Rhymes for roadblock

See All Rhymes for roadblock

Browse Nearby Words

road bike
roadblock
roadbook
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roadblock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roadblock. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

roadblock

noun
road·​block -ˌbläk How to pronounce roadblock (audio)
: a blocking of a road (as by police officers)

Legal Definition

roadblock

noun
road·​block
: a road barricade set up by law enforcement officers especially for the purpose of detecting criminal activity

More from Merriam-Webster on roadblock

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for roadblock

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