obstacle

[ob-stuh-kuhl]

noun

1. something that obstructs or hinders progress.

   Antonyms: help

obstacle

/ ˈɒbstəkəl /

noun

1. a person or thing that opposes or hinders something

2. a fence or hedge used in showjumping

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstacle¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin obstāculum, equivalent to obstā(re) “to face, block, hinder” ( ob- ob- + stāre stand ) + -culum -cle ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstacle¹

C14: via Old French from Latin obstāculum, from obstāre, from ob- against + stāre to stand

Synonym Study

Obstacle, obstruction, hindrance, impediment refer to something that interferes with or prevents action or progress. An obstacle is something, material or nonmaterial, that stands in the way of literal or figurative progress: Lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement. An obstruction is something that more or less completely blocks a passage: A blood clot is an obstruction to the circulation. A hindrance keeps back by interfering and delaying: Interruptions are a hindrance to one's work. An impediment interferes with proper functioning: an impediment in one's speech.

Example Sentences

"We need to remove all the obstacles that stop us from embracing this transformation," she told a Bratislava conference.

Read more on Barron's

Fading investor belief may be one of the biggest obstacles for bitcoin to overcome, says Deutsche Bank.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lamia’s life is turned upside down as she faces one obstacle after another to bake the cake.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Rebecca Pearce, chief executive of Headway Cardiff and South East Wales, put him forward for the award because she had seen "the obstacles and personal battles Alec has had to fight".

Read more on BBC

This AI hallucination problem remains a significant obstacle to fully autonomous cyberattacks—at least for now.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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