stumbling blocks

noun

plural of stumbling block
as in obstacles
something that makes movement or progress difficult the only stumbling block to our move across the country was finding someone to adopt our cats

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 stumbling blocks But the process has been riddled with stumbling blocks – including persistent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which threatened to derail US-Iran talks last week. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 Since then, the process has stretched to require four different levels of review, each with a list of procedural requirements that pose stumbling blocks for prisoners seeking help. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026 Irving's complicated journey with leadership has been well documented, from his controversial trade request from Cleveland to stumbling blocks in Boston and Brooklyn. — Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026 The stumbling blocks to dialogue are immense. — Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026 However, one of the stumbling blocks on this pathway is borate, which is a family of common compounds found in seawater. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026 Cannon’s second and third languages become stumbling blocks for the reader, and visual shortcuts for emotional distance. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025 Overcoming Challenges Rickson’s journey wasn’t without its stumbling blocks. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025 One of the stumbling blocks—the principal stumbling block—to his doing more with Presley was the boy's manager, Bob Neal, who seemed infuriatingly unsusceptible to persuasion, promotion, or even recognition of his own (let alone his artist's) ever-increasing opportunities. — CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stumbling blocks
  1. obstacles
  2. hurdles
  3. obstructions
  4. barriers
Noun
  • Both of them agreed that the American dream is more alive now than ever before, despite some obstacles that younger Latinos are currently facing.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The obstacles to the transformation of Taiwan’s navy are more institutional than technical.
    — HOLMES LIAO, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of obstacles
Noun
  • That golden brown exterior tasted exceptional, but eating it came with some hurdles.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Ring Leaper was also able to clear a pair of tiny hurdles, even after slightly tumbling over the first one.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hurdles
Noun
  • That means Roman will have the benefit of solar power and a lack of obstructions—giving it an unfettered look into the cosmos.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Even if a large storm has disrupted power lines or internet access, a high-quality walkie-talkie should transmit your communications, as long as there are no severe obstructions or blockage.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstructions
Noun
  • Long-standing problems and new barriers are combining to make a career in dietetics less appealing and less financially feasible, just as the nation is increasing its appetite for nutrition in health care.
    — Lauren Chan, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Both mainly reduced trade barriers and committed all three governments to avoid policies that inhibited commercial flows with one another.
    — Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of barriers

Browse Nearby Words

stumbling block
stumbling blocks
stumbling (on or onto)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stumbling blocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stumbling%20blocks. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All