How to Use obstruct in a Sentence

obstruct

verb
  • 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.
  • Mist from the falls and overcast skies obstructed his view of the bridge.
    — Hurubie Meko Ashley Southall Glenn Thrush and Ashley Southall, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023
  • Angela follows the younger woman’s gaze out the window, but the view is obstructed by the wing of the plane.
    — Clare Sestanovich, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
  • The status of the third remained unknown, but snow obstructed a full view of the nest.
    — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But as the bus moved into the Cruise car's lane, the rear section of the bus obstructed the front section.
    — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2023
  • That’s a little taller than some soundbars but still shouldn’t obstruct the view of most TVs.
    — Maren Estrada, BGR, 30 Sep. 2021
  • Now one party wants to obstruct it, twist it, steal it away from We the People to gift it to their donors.
    — Benjamin Wells, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2022
  • When opened, the umbrella cannot obstruct the view of anyone around you.
    — Kori Rumore, chicagotribune.com, 11 Apr. 2022
  • Tall buildings may obstruct your view of the alignment, so look for an open area and clear skies.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 31 May 2024
  • As a Black woman, though, her instinct was not to obstruct Price’s voice.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2022
  • When Bacow asked the student to either put down the poster or move to a side of the room so as not to obstruct the view, the student ignored him.
    — Graciela Mochkofsk, The New Yorker, 27 July 2021
  • This one has a pull-out display that slides back in as needed, so large plates or bowls won’t obstruct their view.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
  • The StormHood™ is fully adjustable for a snug fit that moves with your head when your turn so as not to obstruct your line of sight.
    — Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2023
  • If the flight is full, the body should be returned to its original seat or one that doesn’t obstruct an aisle or exit.
    — Jenny Gross, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The suit alleges a construction sign obstructed the view for drivers in the area.
    — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2023
  • Hauser was never close enough to obstruct Williams’ vision, and his teammates weren’t in the same zip code as Hunter.
    — Joel Lorenzi, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Mar. 2022
  • Even the traffic lights out front are hung awkwardly at the sides of the road as to not obstruct the view coming up Dexter Avenue.
    — al, 12 Jan. 2022
  • Bundy dropped to the ground and refused to move, the statement said, while some protesters locked arms and tried to obstruct deputies from arresting the men.
    — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2021
  • According to Curbed, the new building might obstruct 18 percent of the park at certain times, which was enough to get the project canceled . . .
    — Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 30 July 2021
  • The armchairs’ graceful frames don’t obstruct the view or flow between the living and dining rooms.
    — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Expect the first quarter moon to obstruct some of the shower before midnight.
    — Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 18 Jan. 2023
  • Paul Hodgkins, pleaded guilty to entering the Capitol to obstruct Congress on Jan. 6, a charge that could send him to prison for as long as two years.
    — David Clark Scott, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 July 2021
  • Waiting until the last minute can lead to gridlock on the road for you and obstruct first responders trying to get to the active fire zone.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Don't leave any soap suds on your lens -- if the fog didn't obstruct your vision, bubbles certainly will.
    — Scottie Andrew, CNN, 21 Apr. 2021
  • Metro Phoenix residents will be able to see a partial eclipse for about 2.5 hours, with only 64% of the sun being obstructed by the moon.
    — Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
  • Thankfully, the veil didn’t obstruct Del Rey’s high-glam makeup.
    — Anna Tingley, Variety, 7 May 2024
  • The miniature size packs the same punch as larger smart plugs, but is easier to stack and won't obstruct a second outlet.
    — Nena Farrell, WIRED, 12 July 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obstruct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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