stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ- 
1
: an obstacle to progress
2
: an impediment to belief or understanding : perplexity
Synonyms
Examples of stumbling block in a Sentence
Lack of funds is a major stumbling block to the project.
My plans hit a stumbling block.
Recent Examples on the Web
To avoid technology becoming a stumbling block, don't wait until an M&A is complete to make key decisions in this critical area.
—
Avi Shua, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The key stumbling block is a union proposal to share in streaming revenue, which the AMPTP says would cost $800 million a year.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023
But for Hammer Studios, whose resurrection since 2007 has never managed to return the brand name to full steam, the film marks another stumbling block — an intellectual property cash-in that seems less interested in deconstructing the famous story upon which it’s based than in exploiting it.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
Israeli officials told Channel 12 that a key stumbling block remains a Hamas demand that Israel end the war while leaving Hamas in control of Gaza.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
Artists suing generative artificial intelligence art generators have hit a stumbling block in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit over the uncompensated and unauthorized use of billions of images downloaded from the internet to train AI systems, with a federal judge’s dismissal of most claims.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2023
For companies trying to graduate from building nifty AI prototypes to large-scale, production-ready apps that can move the needle for their business, such visibility and control has proven a stumbling block, according to CEO Harrison Chase.
—Forbes Daily, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Rivals can't take advantage Some political observers say Trump's indictments haven't been a stumbling block on the campaign trail because his Republican opponents can't take advantage of his sweeping charges.
—USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024
The Los Gatos Town Council hit another stumbling block in finalizing its Housing Element.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
Avi Shua, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
The key stumbling block is a union proposal to share in streaming revenue, which the AMPTP says would cost $800 million a year.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023
But for Hammer Studios, whose resurrection since 2007 has never managed to return the brand name to full steam, the film marks another stumbling block — an intellectual property cash-in that seems less interested in deconstructing the famous story upon which it’s based than in exploiting it.
—Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024
Israeli officials told Channel 12 that a key stumbling block remains a Hamas demand that Israel end the war while leaving Hamas in control of Gaza.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024
Artists suing generative artificial intelligence art generators have hit a stumbling block in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit over the uncompensated and unauthorized use of billions of images downloaded from the internet to train AI systems, with a federal judge’s dismissal of most claims.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2023
For companies trying to graduate from building nifty AI prototypes to large-scale, production-ready apps that can move the needle for their business, such visibility and control has proven a stumbling block, according to CEO Harrison Chase.
—Forbes Daily, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Rivals can't take advantage Some political observers say Trump's indictments haven't been a stumbling block on the campaign trail because his Republican opponents can't take advantage of his sweeping charges.
—USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024
The Los Gatos Town Council hit another stumbling block in finalizing its Housing Element.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stumbling block.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near stumbling block
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumbling%20block. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ-
1
: an obstacle to belief or understanding
2
: an obstacle to progress
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