obstruct

verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
obstructed; obstructing; obstructs
Synonyms of obstructnext

transitive verb

1
: to block or close up by an obstacle
A piece of food obstructed his airway.
The road was obstructed by a fallen tree.
2
: to hinder from passage, action, or operation : impede
Constant interruptions obstruct our progress.
was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators
3
: to cut off from sight
A wall obstructs the view.
obstructive
əb-ˈstrək-tiv How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
adjective or noun
obstructiveness noun
obstructor
əb-ˈstrək-tər How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for obstruct

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

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

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of obstruct in a Sentence

A large tree obstructed the road. A piece of food obstructed his airway and caused him to stop breathing. She was charged with obstructing police. She was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 The status of the third remained unknown, but snow obstructed a full view of the nest. — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility. — Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 14 Mar. 2025 The protesters are charged with trespassing, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. — Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for obstruct

Word History

Etymology

Latin obstructus, past participle of obstruere, from ob- in the way + struere to build, heap up — more at ob-, strew

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obstruct was in 1590

Rhymes for obstruct

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Browse Nearby Words

obstruct
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Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruct. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

obstruct

verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
1
: to close up by an obstacle
a fallen tree obstructed the roadway
2
: to be or get in the way of : hinder
lying to the police obstructs justice

Medical Definition

obstruct

transitive verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt, äb- How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
: to block or close up by an obstacle
veins obstructed by clots

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

Nglish: Translation of obstruct for Spanish Speakers

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