✅ Obstacle refers to something that gets in the way of progress (His dislike for math was an obstacle to his dream of being an astronaut).
✅ Obstruction refers to something that blocks passage or progress completely (The road was closed due to an obstruction).
✅ Obstacle suggests a block that can be circumvented or overcome, whereas obstruction suggests something insurmountable (The lack of funding was an obstruction to scientific discoveries; The horse jumped easily over the obstacle).
✅ Both obstruction and obstacle can be used to refer to any kind of block to literal or figurative progress. However, obstruction more commonly refers to physical blocks to literal progress.
Try describing an obstruction on a road trip with the help of our writing tool Grammar Coach.
✅ Possible refers to something that could happen (It’s possible that today will be sunny).
✅ Feasible refers to something which could easily happen, and is a desirable thing to happen (The plan was feasible).
✅ Although possible and feasible both refer to things that could happen, something feasible is more likely than something possible (It’s feasible that he’ll want to get pizza tonight; It’s possible that he’ll see a ghost but it’s also possible that he won’t).
✅ Possible suggests something that could theoretically happen. Feasible suggests something that is quite likely to happen, or has a high chance of success.
It's feasible to improve your writing with the help of our Grammar Coach!
✅ Damage refers to some kind of injury or harm that impacts the appearance or function of something (The bad weather caused damage to the roof).
✅ Detriment refers to something that causes the condition of a thing to deteriorate, or causes the thing to lose value (Stress will be a detriment to your health).
✅ Damage and detriment both refer to some kind of negative change in the condition of a thing. Damage suggests harm or injury caused in a single event (The betrayal caused lasting damage).
✅ Detriment can refer to a single event or refer to something that will cause ongoing and worsening harm over time (Lack of communication was a detriment to their relationship).
It’ll be a detriment if you don’t check out these synonyms.