obstruct

[ uhb-struhkt ]
See synonyms for: obstructobstructedobstructingobstructive on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass: Debris obstructed the road.

  2. to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of.

  1. to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.).

Origin of obstruct

1
First recorded in 1605–15, obstruct is from the Latin word obstructus (past participle of obstruere “to build or pile up in the way, bar”); see ob-, construct

Other words for obstruct

Opposites for obstruct

Other words from obstruct

  • ob·struct·ed·ly, adverb
  • ob·struct·er, ob·struc·tor, noun
  • ob·struct·ing·ly, adverb
  • ob·struc·tive, adjective
  • pre·ob·struct, verb (used with object)
  • un·ob·struct·ed, adjective

Words Nearby obstruct

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

How to use obstruct in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obstruct

obstruct

/ (əbˈstrʌkt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to block (a road, passageway, etc) with an obstacle

  2. to make (progress or activity) difficult

  1. to impede or block a clear view of

Origin of obstruct

1
C17: Latin obstructus built against, past participle of obstruere, from ob- against + struere to build

Derived forms of obstruct

  • obstructor, noun
  • obstructive, adjective, noun
  • obstructively, adverb
  • obstructiveness, noun

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