obstructing

verb

present participle of obstruct
1
as in impeding
to create difficulty for the work or activity of this would go much faster if you would stop obstructing me with your constant interruptions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in blocking
to prevent passage through by filling with something at the moment the city's only tunnel between downtown and the airport is obstructed by an overturned tanker truck

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obstructing He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Nipsco must prioritize people over profits, and our state and national leaders must stop obstructing the renewable infrastructure projects that offer a path toward true resilience. — Lori Latham, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Unlike existing luxury setups, the doors open in unison to reveal a completely open cabin space without a central B-pillar obstructing entry. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 The man is being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, according to Windsor Police. — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 In April 2024, she was arrested and booked on charges of indecent exposure, soliciting prostitution and obstructing governmental operations. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 In July, Michaels was diagnosed with a complicated obstructing kidney stone, which required immediate surgery and the placement of a ureteral stent. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 But Seminole’s Special Magistrate Sherry Sutphen chastised Moncrief, a resident of The Springs neighborhood, for likely damaging the river’s ecology behind his home and obstructing its natural flow. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 He was charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence and obstructing the investigation, according to a press release from Sunday's office. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstructing
  1. impeding
  2. blocking
  3. hampering
  4. hindering
  5. embarrassing
Verb
  • The Supreme Court has been a fitful friend to Trump in his second term, alternately enabling and impeding him.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of impeding
Verb
  • Yes, Thuney had the luxury of blocking for Brady and Mahomes, two of the best quarterbacks of all time.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of blocking
Verb
  • Birds visiting the feeder can get the goo on their wings, hampering their ability to fly and possibly leading to their untimely deaths.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Rescuers will use an extrication device and a helicopter, Fathur said, adding that there were no reports of people missing and no challenges hampering the search.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampering
Verb
  • More than 1,300 people are missing, and a lack of connectivity, power and resources are hindering rescue efforts.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The charges are hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct, a Class A misdemeanor, and disrupting a meeting or procession, a Class B misdemeanor.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hindering
Verb
  • The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.
    — Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing

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obstructed
obstructing
obstruction
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Cite this Entry

“Obstructing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstructing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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