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

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 Alsaidi also faces state charges in Will County of unlawful use of weapons, a felony, and obstructing an officer by providing a fake name. — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 In July, Michaels was diagnosed with a complicated obstructing kidney stone, which required immediate surgery and the placement of a ureteral stent. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Cars that poke out too far and obstruct pedestrian pathways are technically in violation of federal law, Assistant City Attorney Lisa Flowers told the council. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 But Seminole’s Special Magistrate Sherry Sutphen chastised Moncrief, a resident of The Springs neighborhood, for likely damaging the river’s ecology behind his home and obstructing its natural flow. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct

Verb

Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

The Supreme Court in late June blocked Trump from firing Cook, but left the president with a path to try again to remove her.

— Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Satellite images appear to show the avalanche blocking the river with ice and debris about 20km upstream of the Nepal-Tibet border.

— Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of block

Verb

That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.

— Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

The administration of antibiotics would trigger a second pathogen that had been occluded inside the first.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026
Instead, the missing silver may have been right there, in the sun all along, simply occluded from astronomers' view by tricks of physics.

— Rahul Rao, Space.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of occlude

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.

— Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.

— Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrass

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“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstruct. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of obstruct

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