OBSTACLE Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

obstacle

noun

ˈäb-sti-kəl

Definition of obstacle

as in hurdle

something that makes movement or progress difficult stumbling on all the obstacles along the path

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 obstacle Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles to Boise State football’s entire season has arrived. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Oct. 2026 Chinese troops conducted reconnaissance and targeting exercises, obstacle breaching, coordinated attacks and battlefield medical drills before the exercise moved into its main operational phase, the South China Morning Post reported. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 And the Dream must prove that their lack of postseason experience won’t be a big enough obstacle for the franchise to reach the WNBA Finals for the fourth time ever. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026 Dreams of colonizing Mars face many significant obstacles given the harsh conditions (for humans) on the red planet—including housing. — ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obstacle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstacle

Noun

This year, for example, Regan dropped an initiative that would have restricted hospital executives’ pay, in exchange for the California Hospital Association not imposing new administrative hurdles on unions pursuing political campaigns.

— Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
One of the biggest hurdles the state faces is communicating to the public the importance of these fires.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurdle

Noun

He was sentenced to concurrent life terms in federal prison on six charges, nearly 12 years on a firearm conspiracy charge and 10 years on an obstruction of justice charge.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2026
Where Montoya lived Montoya faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession of false immigration documents, use of false immigration documents and obstruction of agency proceedings.

— Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of obstruction

Noun

Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein has been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade and forced him to give up royal duties in 2019.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein has been a source of embarrassment to the royal family for more than a decade and forced him to give up royal duties in 2019.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassment

Browse Nearby Words

obsoleteness

obstacle

obstacles

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Obstacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstacle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of obstacle

noun

Example Sentences

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