obstacle

[ ob-stuh-kuhl ]

/ ˈɒb stə kəl /

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noun

something that obstructs or hinders progress.

Nearby words

Origin of obstacle

1300–50; Middle English < Old French < Latin obstāculum, equivalent to obstā(re) to face, block, hinder (ob- ob- + stāre to stand) + -culum -cle²

SYNONYMS FOR obstacle

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.

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ANTONYMS FOR obstacle

help.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for obstacle

In fact, she says the sexism she faced was far more of an obstacle than her autism in the workplace.
The Most Inspiring Bits of Temple Grandin’s Reddit AMA|Emily Shire|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If there is no obstacle, they would enjoy the ease that is shown to everyone else.
Turkey Takes in ‘Terrorists’ from the Muslim Brotherhood|Thomas Seibert|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“After you imagine the obstacle, you can figure out what you can do to overcome it and make a plan,” explains Oettingen.
4 Science-Backed Ways to Motivate Yourself to Work Out|DailyBurn|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But she nevertheless downplayed their differences as any obstacle to joining forces.
Elections Could Be the Beginning of the End for Europe|Tracy McNicoll, Nadette De Visser|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Just getting to Malibu Colony has become an obstacle course.
The Rise of the Malibu Movie Colony|Michele Willens|April 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Every obstacle creates confusion, speedily converted into panic by opposition.
Destruction and Reconstruction:|Richard Taylor
Another one is living wretchedly with a wife poorly dowried, let him think that his wife is an obstacle to his fortune.
Remedia A Moris or, The Remedy Of Love|Ovid
The first obstacle was a 228 great spur of boulder conglomerate.
Kashmir|Sir Francis Edward Younghusband
It is not always easy to understand—but the obstacle lies often, I take it, in our own ignorance.
The Legacy of Greece|Various
Were you told that the duties imposed by the ministry were free from every obstacle, exempt from every peril?
The Betrothed|Alessandro Manzoni

British Dictionary definitions for obstacle

obstacle

/ (ˈɒbstəkəl) /

noun

a person or thing that opposes or hinders something

British a fence or hedge used in showjumping

Word Origin for obstacle

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obstacle

obstacle

mid-14c., from Old French obstacle, ostacle "opposition, obstruction, hindrance" (13c.) or directly from Latin obstaculum "a hindrance, obstacle," with instrumental suffix *-tlom + obstare "stand before, stand opposite to, block, hinder, thwart," from ob "against" (see ob-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

The lover thinks more often of reaching his mistress than the husband of guarding his wife; the prisoner thinks more often of escaping than the gaoler of shutting his door; and so, whatever the obstacles may be, the lover and the prisoner ought to succeed. [Stendhal, "Charterhouse of Parma"]

Obstacle course is attested from 1891.

obstacle

noun

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Origin of obstacle

Examples from the Web for obstacle

obstacle

noun

Word Origin for obstacle

obstacle