Obstacle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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obstacle

[ˈɒbstəkl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

overcome

Something that blocks or hinders progress or achievement; a barrier or impediment.

Synonyms

barrier, hindrance, impediment, obstruction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstacle	A challenge or difficulty that must be overcome, often used in both physical and metaphorical senses. She overcame every obstacle in her path to success. The fallen tree was an obstacle on the road.
barrier	A physical or metaphorical boundary that separates or restricts movement or progress. Often suggests something more permanent. Language barriers can make communication difficult. The fence acted as a barrier between the two properties.
hindrance	Something that slows down or prevents progress but is usually not insurmountable. Often used for smaller or less significant problems. His constant interruptions turned out to be more of a hindrance than help. The rain was a hindrance to their outdoor plans.
impediment	A serious obstruction or delay, often used in legal, formal, or technical settings. Can imply something more severe or difficult to overcome. A speech impediment can make public speaking challenging. They faced legal impediments while trying to start the business.
obstruction	Something that blocks the way or makes movement or progress difficult. Often involves a physical object but can also be used metaphorically. There was an obstruction in the pipes causing the water to back up. His refusal to cooperate was seen as an obstruction to the investigation.

Examples of usage

It is important to identify and address any obstacles that may be standing in the way of success.
The lack of funding proved to be a major obstacle for the project.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

athletics

A barrier or structure that athletes must negotiate in a race.

Synonyms

barrier, block, hurdle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstacle	Use when referring to something that causes difficulty or prevents progress in a broad sense. The fallen tree was a major obstacle on the road. She faced many obstacles in her career.
hurdle	Usually refers to an obstacle that needs to be jumped over or something that requires effort to overcome, often in a competitive or process-oriented context. The athlete cleared the hurdle effortlessly. One of the major hurdles in the project was the budget constraints.
barrier	Often used in a physical or figurative sense to describe something that separates or keeps things apart. Language barriers can make international communication difficult. The construction workers put up a barrier to keep people out of the area.
block	Typically refers to something that completely stops progress or movement. There was a block in the road that caused a traffic jam. His shyness was a block to making new friends.

Examples of usage

The runners had to jump over several obstacles during the steeplechase event.
She knocked down a hurdle but managed to quickly recover and continue past the obstacle.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

overcome

To block or impede the progress of someone or something.

Synonyms

block, hamper, hinder, impede.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
obstacle	Refers to something that physically or metaphorically stands in the way of progress or achievement. Often used in a general sense for any barrier. The fallen tree was an obstacle on the path Fear can be an obstacle to success
hinder	Describes something that slows down progress rather than stopping it completely, often implying less severe obstruction. The snowstorm will hinder our travel to the airport Self-doubt can hinder personal growth
impede	Often used in more formal contexts and suggests a stronger obstruction that slows down or prevents movement or progress. Construction work will impede traffic flow for the next two weeks His lack of experience may impede his career advancement
block	Implies something that entirely stops progress or movement, often used for both abstract and physical situations. The accident caused a traffic block on the highway He tried to block out the noise
hamper	Indicates limiting or making it difficult to progress, often used for interruptions or limitations imposed by someone or something. The heavy rain will hamper our plans for a picnic His limited English skills could hamper his ability to get hired

Examples of usage

The heavy rain obstacle the construction work on the road.
Don't let fear obstacle you from pursuing your dreams.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'obstacle'

The word 'obstacle' originated from the Old French word 'obstacle', which came from Latin 'obstaculum', meaning 'a hindrance, obstacle'. The concept of obstacles has been present throughout human history, as people have always encountered challenges and barriers in their pursuits. Overcoming obstacles is often seen as a crucial aspect of personal growth and development.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,729 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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