obstacle

[ ob-stuh-kuhl ]
See synonyms for obstacle on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. something that obstructs or hinders progress.

Origin of obstacle

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin obstāculum, equivalent to obstā(re) “to face, block, hinder” (ob-ob- + stārestand) + -culum-cle2

synonym study 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.

Opposites for obstacle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use obstacle in a sentence

  • The obstacles operating against the development of enterprises and employment of foreign capital to be removed.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • His fiery enthusiasm swept aside all difficulties; his inventive genius ever showed him the way to surmount all obstacles.

    Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
  • Edna's desire to see Mademoiselle Reisz had increased tenfold since these unlooked-for obstacles had arisen to thwart it.

  • That door and that sentry were obstacles which Garnache saw the futility of attempting to overcome without aid.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • But the obstacles which should have hindered his assailants hindered Garnache even more at this juncture.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for obstacle

obstacle

/ (ˈɒbstəkəl) /


noun
  1. a person or thing that opposes or hinders something

  2. British a fence or hedge used in showjumping

Origin of obstacle

1
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