1
as in impeding
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blocking
to prevent passage through by filling with something
at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obstructing
Eric Havens, 58, of Homewood, pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in Will County court after fleeing multiple law enforcement officials in October.
—
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The councilmember was arrested and faces two counts of disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration, police said.
—Melissa Russo, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
These actions had the effect of obstructing the Department of Labor’s ability to learn the true number of Viva Supermarket employees that would possibly have been entitled to back wages.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Dellabarba is charged with obstructing the administration of law and other offenses.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
She was charged with misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026
Both Hungary and Slovakia accused Kyiv of deliberately obstructing Russian deliveries.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Branch, 22, was cited for misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer and obstructing a public sidewalk.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Russian sage adds both height and texture to gardens without obstructing the view of the plants behind it, thanks to its airy appearance.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
The councilmember was arrested and faces two counts of disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration, police said.
—Melissa Russo, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
These actions had the effect of obstructing the Department of Labor’s ability to learn the true number of Viva Supermarket employees that would possibly have been entitled to back wages.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Dellabarba is charged with obstructing the administration of law and other offenses.
—Joe Holden, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
She was charged with misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026
Both Hungary and Slovakia accused Kyiv of deliberately obstructing Russian deliveries.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Branch, 22, was cited for misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer and obstructing a public sidewalk.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Russian sage adds both height and texture to gardens without obstructing the view of the plants behind it, thanks to its airy appearance.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
Verb
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The White House placed Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorists, impeding its ability to access international banking services.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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In court filings, the Newton Police Department has disputed the allegations, saying officers responded to multiple calls about roughly 100 spectators at Heartbreak Hill who were impeding the race.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder has the short-area quickness, yards-after-the catch ability and run-blocking toughness that coach Kyle Shanahan craves.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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To wrap up Day 2, the Dolphins took a pair of wide receivers and an in-line blocking tight end with their three picks in the third round.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck drove through the airport's version of a stop light and the vehicle lacked a transponder, hampering a crash warning system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
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The cuts to the DOJ program are hampering the work of the Resurrection Project and other groups.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Experts warn that the war in Iran and the resulting fuel shocks can strain funding and disrupts field operations, hindering global conservation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Most hypersonic missiles can perform evasive maneuvers while in flight, hindering detection and interception, unlike regular missiles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tragicomedy repeats as embarrassing parody.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Charlotte Checkers opened the AHL playoffs with a bang Wednesday, embarrassing the Springfield Thunderbirds in the opening game of the teams’ first-round AHL playoff series in Charlotte.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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