obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an impediment, a barrier, or an obstruction that must be overcome or navigated. For example: "The snowstorm was a major obstacle to our plans of skiing this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rebel commanders are seeking assurances from Washington that if they sign a peace deal with the Colombian government, the United States will not be an obstacle to implementing agreements reached at the table.

The Guardian

They started with obstacle races, under the name Rugged Maniac.

The Guardian - Sport

Health and safety forms are an obstacle, so be prepared for paperwork, he adds.

The Guardian

Even a mid-budget movie costs a lot of money to make, and needs to make it back whereas financial success was practically an obstacle to artistic achievement for most of the outsider musicians Frank celebrates.

The Guardian - Film

The daily trips from home to Genk's training centre – 36km each way — were not a big obstacle.

The Guardian - Sport

The NHS's deepening financial problems are a major obstacle, though the PM could potentially make some further extra money available for that purpose.

The Guardian

Santorum will increasingly be seen as an obstacle to consolidating the conservative vote, rather than as the recently crowned Iowa winner that he is.

The Guardian - Opinion

The extra pounds are another obstacle to overcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

Boris Johnson is to renounce his US citizenship, removing a potential obstacle to him becoming British prime minister.

The Guardian

Related: Len McCluskey tells Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to resign He said he would seek election to the Scottish parliament in May 2016 but that immediately raised a substantial new obstacle which could cause further conflict within the Scottish party.

The Guardian

Unlike the situation with Germany, where Ballack missed out on the World Cup not through his own fault and then became seen as an obstacle to the team's continued progress, the falling-out with Leverkusen is very much of his own making.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obstacle" to clearly identify a specific impediment or challenge that hinders progress or achievement. For example, "Lack of funding became a significant obstacle to completing the project."

Common error

Avoid using "obstacle" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for significant barriers that genuinely impede progress. For example, instead of saying "The short wait was an obstacle", consider "The short wait was an inconvenience".

Linguistic Context

The word "obstacle" functions primarily as a noun, denoting something that impedes progress or stands in the way. As Ludwig indicates, it's used to describe impediments, barriers, or obstructions that must be overcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obstacle" is a noun commonly used to describe something that impedes progress. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "obstacle" is generally suitable for describing significant impediments, it's important to avoid using it for minor inconveniences. Consider alternatives such as "impediment" or "hindrance" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impediment

Refers to something that delays or prevents progress.

hindrance

Indicates something that obstructs or impedes.

barrier

Suggests a physical or metaphorical obstruction.

obstruction

Implies something that blocks or closes off a path.

hurdle

Suggests a difficulty that must be overcome.

stumbling block

A circumstance that causes someone to hesitate or fail.

difficulty

A condition or situation that causes trouble.

setback

A reversal or check in progress.

complication

A circumstance that complicates something.

challenge

A task or situation that tests someone's abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "obstacle" to describe something that blocks progress or stands in the way. For instance, "The language barrier was a major obstacle to communication".

What's a good alternative to "obstacle"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "impediment", "hindrance", or "barrier".

Is it correct to use "obstacle" to describe a personal challenge?

Yes, "obstacle" can be used to describe a personal challenge. For example, "Overcoming his fear of public speaking was a significant obstacle for him".

What is the difference between "obstacle" and "challenge"?

"Obstacle" implies something that blocks progress, while "challenge" suggests a task that tests one's abilities. An obstacle must be overcome to proceed, whereas a challenge is something to strive for.