obstruct

American  

[uhb-struhkt] / əbˈstrʌkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass.

   Debris obstructed the road.

   Synonyms:

   arrest, retard, slow, check, prevent, impede, hinder, clog, choke, stop

   Antonyms:

   further, encourage

2. to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of.

3. to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.).

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obstruct British  

/ əbˈstrʌkt /

verb

1. to block (a road, passageway, etc) with an obstacle

2. to make (progress or activity) difficult

3. to impede or block a clear view of

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Other Word Forms

• obstructedly adverb
• obstructer noun
• obstructingly adverb
• obstructive adjective
• obstructively adverb
• obstructiveness noun
• obstructor noun
• preobstruct verb (used with object)
• unobstructed adjective

Etymology

Origin of obstruct

First recorded in 1605–15, obstruct is from the Latin word obstructus (past participle of obstruere “to build or pile up in the way, bar”); ob-, construct

Explanation

When you obstruct something, you block it. If you’re gobbling down your pizza, a chunk of crust you didn’t chew so well might obstruct your airway and you'll choke. Obstruct also means to get in the way so that you hide something from view. That fast food tower being built next to your beach house will obstruct your lovely ocean vistas. And that scene gives you a vivid illustration of the Latin roots the word comes from: ob- "against," and struere, "build." You can also obstruct something or someone by putting up a roadblock, literal or figurative: when you park yourself by the exit door, you obstruct everybody's way out.

Example Sentences

“LASD did not obstruct the investigation,” county attorneys argued in court filings.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

But because he allegedly tried to obstruct the investigation, he faces a separate set of charges on much firmer legal ground.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

Nor do they park their cars to obstruct law-enforcement operations or gather outside hotels in the wee hours to chant and bang drums because those hotels rented rooms to ICE agents.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

A defence solicitor said it was a sad and distressing case, but argued that it was not a case of the deliberate attempt to obstruct justice.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

The road had no heavy load of traffic to support; there were few sharp curves or intersections where brush could obstruct the driver’s vision.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• block
• curb
• cut off
• hamper
• hinder
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere
• obscure
• retard
• stall
• stonewall
• stymie
• thwart