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

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

Now, frustrated EU officials are trying to determine what Orbán seeks to achieve with his obstructionist strategy, and how they might overcome it.

From Seattle Times

In essence, Ms Blessing said, it was a choice between maintaining a semblance of the status quo that the House saw under Mr McCarthy, or heading towards a governing style laced with an obstructionist attitude.

From BBC

“He’s an obstructionist who refuses to admit that we won Georgia, BIG! Also won the other swing states,” Mr. Trump tweeted.

From Washington Times

The Sierra Club’s California director, Brandon Dawson, says the Environmental Quality Act “has been taken advantage of by individuals and groups that have an obstructionist tendency.”

From Los Angeles Times