obstacle

[ob-stuh-kuhl] / ˈɒb stə kəl /

NOUN

impediment, barrier

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barrier difficulty disincentive hardship hindrance hitch hurdle impediment interference obstruction restriction snag stumbling block

STRONG

bar block catch check clog crimp encumbrance hamper hang-up interruption joker mountain rub traverse vicissitude

WEAK

Catch-22 booby trap monkey wrench

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit ease help opening promotion

WEAK

blessing clearance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Insecurity is a huge obstacle in the eastern DRC, which has been plagued for three decades by conflict involving a litany of armed groups.

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

Dan Schnur, a USC professor and former advisor to Republican politicians in California, said Feldstein Soto’s biggest obstacle might not be her opponents, but voters themselves fed up with elected officials citywide.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

A recent poll suggests many students view AI as both a threat to their future and an obstacle to their intellectual development.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Scientists have been exploring ways to remove or repair these harmful cells, but there has been a major obstacle.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

My star vanished as I drew near: some obstacle had intervened between me and it.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Vocabulary lists containing obstacle

Michelle Obama's final address as First Lady (2017)

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