obstructionist

[ uhb-struhk-shuh-nist ]

noun

1. a person who deliberately delays or prevents progress.
2. a person who delays or obstructs the business before a legislative body by parliamentary contrivances or legalistic maneuvers.

obstructionist

/ əbˈstrʌkʃənɪst /

noun

1. 1. a person who deliberately obstructs business, esp in a legislature
   2. ( as modifier )

      obstructionist tactics

Derived Forms

• obˈstructionism, noun

Other Words From

• ob·struction·ism noun
• ob·struction·istic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of obstructionist¹

First recorded in 1840–50; obstruction + -ist

Example Sentences

During the last two years, Shakib said fair and county officials have engaged in “obstructionist discovery tactics” to avoid answering key questions about happened to the goat, and what role officials played in seizing and destroying the animal.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe Johnson is recognizing that his responsibilities as the head of the people’s house go beyond serving his trolliest, most obstructionist members.

From Seattle Times

But it likely won’t persist after the election because either the more unified Democrats will win a majority, or more hard-line Republicans will be elected — and perhaps Trump, too — and the party will revert to obstructionist form.

From Los Angeles Times

The 79-to-18 vote provided Mr. Biden another legislative accomplishment to point to, even in the face of an obstructionist House.

From New York Times

And this constant legal obstructionist strategy, while understandable to some degree, when constantly applied to any unfavorable scenario, will continue to produce these unintended consequences from which it will be hard for Trump and his campaign to recover.

From Salon