obstruct

verb

ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
obstructed; obstructing; obstructs

transitive verb

1
: to block or close up by an obstacle
A piece of food obstructed his airway.
The road was obstructed by a fallen tree.
2
: to hinder from passage, action, or operation : impede
Constant interruptions obstruct our progress.
was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators
3
: to cut off from sight
A wall obstructs the view.
obstructive adjective or noun
obstructiveness noun
obstructor noun
Choose the Right Synonym for obstruct

hinder, impede, obstruct, block mean to interfere with the activity or progress of.

hinder stresses causing harmful or annoying delay or interference with progress.

rain hindered the climb

impede implies making forward progress difficult by clogging, hampering, or fettering.

tight clothing that impedes movement

obstruct implies interfering with something in motion or in progress by the sometimes intentional placing of obstacles in the way.

the view was obstructed by billboards

block implies complete obstruction to passage or progress.

a landslide blocked the road

Examples of obstruct in a Sentence

A large tree obstructed the road. A piece of food obstructed his airway and caused him to stop breathing. She was charged with obstructing police. She was charged with obstructing justice by lying to investigators.
Recent Examples on the Web Carrie, a former Wells Fargo executive, pled guilty last year to obstructing a regulatory investigation into the bank’s fake accounts scandal. $5,700,000 The Exeter Gravitas Trust, led by Michael and Mary Leigh Phillips, bought a 5,615-square-foot Paradise Valley home. Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Per the indictment, Trump was charged with one count each of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 But demonstrators continued to obstruct the crossing as recently as Thursday. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 If the aircraft is full, the body may be returned to the passenger’s original seat or moved to another area that doesn't obstruct an aisle or exit. Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2024 The investigation has largely focused on Hunter and James Biden’s business dealings, with Republicans aiming to build a case against the President on corruption charges or attempting to obstruct the inquiry. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 22 Feb. 2024 The man was booked on suspicion of peeping and obstructing/resisting a peace officer. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2024 The first trial When the former Miami Beach executive’s trial ended in 2019, Esformes was found guilty of 20 of 26 counts, including paying bribes, receiving kickbacks, committing money laundering and obstructing justice. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024 He has not been charged with resisting or obstructing officers. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obstruct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin obstructus, past participle of obstruere, from ob- in the way + struere to build, heap up — more at ob-, strew

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of obstruct was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near obstruct

Cite this Entry

“Obstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstruct. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obstruct

verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
äb-
1
: to close up by an obstacle
a fallen tree obstructed the roadway
2
: to be or get in the way of : hinder
lying to the police obstructs justice

Medical Definition

obstruct

transitive verb
ob·​struct əb-ˈstrəkt, äb- How to pronounce obstruct (audio)
: to block or close up by an obstacle
veins obstructed by clots

More from Merriam-Webster on obstruct

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