to obstruct

Examples

• All

• You can't obstruct the police from viewing your license plate.

  LegalEagle

• To keep me from bringing charges against you... for obstructing a federal investigation.

  The Corruptor (1999)

• Do not obstruct my investigation!

  Red Corner (1997)

• Could their passivity obstruct that process?

  Tom Bilyeu

• You can't obstruct justice there.

  She Said (2022)

• In addition, several problems are obstructing the development of a market for environmental services.

  Academic text (1993)

• You're under arrest for conspiracy to obstruct justice.

  Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003)

• So, the first phase of the process was never completed, which then obstructed the following phases.

  Academic text (2017)

• I hope you know that obstructing justice is a felony offence.

  The Bone Collector (1999)

• You can't obstruct the view by standing in front of the camera.

Synonyms

B

to block

vsto obstruct

∞ 3.0

To stop movement, access, or progress

is the everyday word for physically getting in the way

G

to get in the way

vsto obstruct

206 3.3

To stop or slow something from happening

is the standard verb used when things or people are put in the way

T

to thwart

vsto obstruct

87 7.4

To stop someone from doing what they want

is broader, covering both successful and partial prevention

H

to hinder

vsto obstruct

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

can mean the same but also includes clear physical obstruction

H

to hamper

vsto obstruct

47 4.2

To make it harder for someone or something to move forward

is the more neutral, physical sense of getting in the way

J

to jam

vsto obstruct

46 3.2

Push people or things together so they cannot move easily

is about preventing passage rather than crowding by fullness

I

to impede

vsto obstruct

35 6.5

To slow the progress or movement of people and things

often implies a direct physical getting in the way rather than delay

B

to block off

vsto obstruct

23 3.8

Close a road, path or entrance so people cannot go through

covers that action too but also other kinds of obstruction

C

to clog

vsto obstruct

21 3.2

To block a pipe or passage so flow stops

is less focused on buildup and more on general hindrance

S

to stymy

vsto obstruct

20 8.7

To stop someone from making progress toward a goal

describes the physical or general getting in the way rather than goal focus

C

to close up

vsto obstruct

15 3.7

To bring the edges of something together so there is no gap

has broader use for stopping movement, sight, or progress

C

to clog up

vsto obstruct

9 3.7

To block a drain or road so things cannot move through it

can mean a deliberate or accidental getting in the way, not only clogging

O

to occlude

vsto obstruct

• Specialized

5 8.4

Block an opening to stop the flow of liquid or air

is broader, applying to sight, movement, or progress too

S

to stymie

vsto obstruct

5 8.0

To stop or slow progress

is the general act of getting in the way, not only goal failure

B

to block up

vsto obstruct

4 3.8

To stop movement through a road, pipe, or path

is similar but can mean partial or indirect getting in the way

S

to stand in someone's way

vsto obstruct

1 3.4

Stop someone from reaching their goal

is the general term for getting in the way, not only personal opposition

B

to blockade

vsto obstruct

1 6.1

To stop someone or something from making progress

is a single act of getting in the way rather than a campaign

E

to estop

vsto obstruct

• Archaic

9.9

To block a road or a river so nothing can pass

is general language rather than a legal procedural stop

O

to obturate

vsto obstruct

• Specialized

9.9

To block an opening to stop liquid or gas passing through

is the common term used across everyday situations

Antonyms

F

to facilitate

• Formal

187 4.9

To make a task or process easier and help it happen

F

to free

12 1.0

To remove something unwanted from a place or person

Phrasal Verbs

O

to obstruct someone's plans

5.6

To stop someone on purpose from doing what they planned

How Obstructive

to jam

13 4.4

to block

∞ 3.0

to obstruct

119 5.1

to impede

35 6.5

to hinder

75 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology