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 In his plea agreement, prosecutors said Damato admitted to contacting a witness following an FBI search of his home, in an attempt to obstruct the government's investigation. —

Tim Fang, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Some patients develop spasms of the vocal cords that obstruct the airway. —

Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 The man scouted around the patio and yard area, apparently for something to obstruct the camera before settling on some greenery found in the yard. —

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026 As of Wednesday, the airport was working with the FAA to determine whether the design must be adjusted to avoid obstructing sight lines from the tower to the taxiway. —

Sacbee.com, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstruct

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstruct

Verb

Health care workers who impede these rituals for infection-control reasons often face hostility and violence; clinics have been attacked and burned down during this outbreak, furthering viral spread.

— Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.

— Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of impede

Verb

In March, the administration filed a new lawsuit again trying to block California’s ability to set stricter-than-federal emissions standards for cars.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Rodríguez denied those claims, saying some remote areas were difficult to reach because roads were blocked by landslides and debris, forcing authorities to rely on motorcycles, drones and satellite imagery.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of block

Verb

He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
The Great American State Fair kicked off last week, though the 16-day event has been hindered by weather shutdowns, technical difficulties and low attendance.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of hinder

Verb

There’s so much that has been occluded by the broad-brush depiction of the eighties as the awful age of Reagan, yuppies, shoulder pads, mullets, and synth-drums.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 June 2026
Unlike supermassive black holes, the critics argued, LRDs appeared occluded by much denser clouds of gas, potentially mandating a more direct method for accurately measuring their mass.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 May 2026

Definition of occlude

Verb

The decision severely hampered local planning for America’s 250th anniversary, disrupting history projects, museums and educational programs nationwide.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Chwalińska took a medical timeout for the injury at the end of the game, and she was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of hamper

Verb

The Chicago White Sox, a team many left for dead at the start of the year, embarrassed the Kansas City Royals Friday night, 22-1.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
But combined with Disney‘s embarrassing The Mandalorian and Grogu influencer stunt that backfired, a movie’s first reactions on social media are increasingly being met with equal amounts of fan skepticism.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026