obstructionist

[ uhb-struhk-shuh-nist ]

/ əbˈstrʌk ʃə nɪst /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for obstructionist on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress.

a person who delays or obstructs the business before a legislative body by parliamentary contrivances or legalistic maneuvers.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of obstructionist

First recorded in 1840–50; obstruction + -ist

OTHER WORDS FROM obstructionist

ob·struc·tion·ism, nounob·struc·tion·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby obstructionist

obstinate, obstipation, obstreperous, obstruct, obstruction, obstructionist, obstructive, obstruent, obtain, obtaining by deception, obtect

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use obstructionist in a sentence

The absence of Sinema is almost metaphorical as she has become the target of ire for progressives who view her as an obstructionist to their agenda in the Senate.
How do you solve the Kyrsten Sinema problem?|Chris Johnson|June 30, 2021|Washington Blade
By lowering the costs of obstruction, the rule change gave birth to the “silent” filibuster, laying bare the obstructionist tactic for what it is.
History reveals that getting rid of the filibuster is the only option|Nancy Young|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
If Democrats are getting small businesses and families things that they need and Republicans are obstructionists, I think that Democrats could buck the historical trend.
Democrats win unified — if narrow — control of Washington on a violent day|Michael Scherer|January 7, 2021|Washington Post
It promotes irrational, obstructionist politics and increases the divide between Americans.
Too many Americans believe utter rubbish|Jennifer Rubin|December 11, 2020|Washington Post

In a divided Congress, each party can point its finger at the other and say: “Obstructionist!”
Here’s What Happens When the GOP Takes Over the Senate|Michael Tomasky|April 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The country has soured on obstructionist politicians and the Tea Party in particular.
Ted Cruz Runs Against His Own Government Shutdown|Joe McLean|January 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ronald Reagan, like Obama and unlike FDR, rarely bullied party renegades or obstructionist opponents.
Obama and Syria: Fighting the Wimp Factor|Gil Troy|September 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And finally, this week, they saw that they can be something other than totally obstructionist, and the world will still spin.
The Party of No Flirts With Yes as Mitch McConnell’s Grip on the GOP Slips|Michael Tomasky|July 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Across the aisle, “obstructionist,” “waste of time,” and “37 times” kept popping up.
Obamacare 37, Republicans 0: House GOP Loses Again on Repeal Vote|Michelle Cottle|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And you, sir, have lived an unimaginative obstructionist and never can hope now to emerge from it.
The Poison Belt|Arthur Conan Doyle
Sykes had been an obstructionist in the legislature during the war.
Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama|Walter L. Fleming
This one was very pretty, but an obstructionist nevertheless.
Mrs. Dorriman, Volume 2 of 3|Julie Bosville Chetwynd
Viewed from the standpoint of the populace, he was a selfish, cross-grained old obstructionist.
The Skipper and the Skipped|Holman Day
During the Melbourne administration from 1835 to 1841 he figured conspicuously as an obstructionist in the House of Lords.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for obstructionist

obstructionist

/ (əbˈstrʌkʃənɪst) /

noun

a person who deliberately obstructs business, esp in a legislature
(as modifier)obstructionist tactics

Derived forms of obstructionist

obstructionism, 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

obstructionist

Origin of obstructionist

OTHER WORDS FROM obstructionist

Words nearby obstructionist

Words related to obstructionist

How to use obstructionist in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for obstructionist

Derived forms of obstructionist