Obstruct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Obstruct" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of blocking or hindering something, such as a process, movement, or action. Example: "The fallen tree obstructed the road, making it impassable for vehicles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We shall triumph over all this evil that wants to debase our humanity or obstruct our progress as a nation," he vowed.

The Guardian

Another cable, which prompted Ecuador to expel the US ambassador to the country, accused Ecuador's commander of police of using his position "to extort cash and property, misappropriate public funds, facilitate human trafficking, and obstruct the investigation and prosecution of corrupt colleagues", concluding that "corruption among Ecuadorian national police officers is widespread and well-known".

The Guardian

The document also states that the government has a responsibility to "uphold and facilitate the strongest security standards online" and should not seek to weaken encryption or "obstruct the availability of encryption technologies".

The Guardian - Tech

Lawrie then resigned when it was revealed police were investigating her for "possible breaches of the criminal law" in seeking to "obstruct, prevent, pervert or defeat the course of justice" during the Lawler inquiry.

The Guardian

In a recent article on the doomed future of French studies, Forsdick acidly remarked that in the past French departments had usually been staffed by French nationals and that their "persistent Francophilia often tended to obstruct the distance of ethnographic objectivity on which modern languages should ideally be based".

The Guardian - Opinion

They worked very hard to obstruct the use of evidence on the balance between inward and outward flows, including offering an estimate for the number of UK citizens living and working in other EU countries that was half a million lower than any otherwise-accepted figure".

The Guardian

The red-and-whites have promised to use their power "to investigate and to obstruct".

The Economist

And because the SPD has lost most state governments, there is no risk of the party regaining a majority in the Bundesrat soon, so it will be unable to obstruct a new government.All this ought to make life easier for Ms Merkel, should she win.

The Economist

Mr Quattrone was tried last year on charges of attempting to obstruct an investigation into the allocation of such shares, but a mistrial was declared after the jury failed to reach a verdict.While the rash of scandals did subside somewhat in 2003, another of the best-known corporate personalities of the late 1990s fell from grace.

The Economist

The major political ideologies Arab nationalism, political Islam and now perhaps violent jihadism transcend national borders.Instead Arab rulers have wielded the apparatus of state power to obstruct any potential challenge, centralising all decisions and fomenting and exploiting divisions wherever possible.

The Economist

But even if he manages to win, Mr Prodi will find it hard to introduce reforms not least because his coalition embraces no fewer than nine parties, several of which will obstruct change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstruct", consider the degree of impediment you want to convey. For instance, "hinder" suggests a lesser impact than "block".

Common error

Avoid using "obstruct" in unnecessarily passive constructions that obscure the actor doing the obstructing. Be direct and identify who or what is doing the obstructing for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obstruct" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of blocking or hindering something, as seen in the Ludwig examples where entities "obstruct progress", "obstruct investigations", or "obstruct the flow of blood". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obstruct" functions as a transitive verb, primarily used to describe the act of blocking or impeding something, often negatively impacting progress or function. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in neutral contexts like news and media, alongside formal and business communications. Consider nuances when choosing synonyms such as "hinder" or "impede". Remember to avoid passive constructions and ensure clarity by identifying the actor that is obstructing. With a very common usage, mastering "obstruct" enhances precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Impede

Similar in meaning, but often implies a slower or less complete obstruction.

Hinder

Suggests making it more difficult for someone to do something.

Block

Implies a complete physical or metaphorical barrier.

Impede the progress of

Specifically refers to slowing down advancement or development.

Thwart

To prevent someone from accomplishing something.

Interfere with

Involves getting in the way of something, often unintentionally.

Disrupt

To interrupt or cause disorder.

Stymie

Presents an obstacle or frustration.

Obstruct the path

Indicates physically or metaphorically blocking a route or course.

Get in the way

A more informal way of saying to obstruct.

FAQs

How can I use "obstruct" in a sentence?

You can use "obstruct" to describe blocking something physically, like "The fallen tree obstructed the road", or metaphorically, such as "The new regulations obstructed progress".

What's a formal alternative to "obstruct"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "impede" or "hinder", which convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is "obstruct" the same as "prevent"?

"Obstruct" implies hindering or blocking something already in progress, while "prevent" means stopping something before it starts. For example, "The barrier obstructed the floodwaters" versus "The barrier prevented the flood from reaching the town".

What are some synonyms for "obstruct"?

Synonyms for "obstruct" include "block", "impede", "hinder", and "thwart", each carrying slightly different connotations of how something is being stopped or delayed.