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 difficult for cars to pass."

✓ 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", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being blocked or hindered. For example, "The fallen debris obstructed the road" is clearer than simply saying "The debris obstructed."

Common error

Avoid using "obstruct" when a weaker term like "delay" or "slow" is more appropriate. "Obstruct" implies a significant impediment, so using it for minor inconveniences can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obstruct" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of blocking, hindering, or impeding something. As Ludwig AI confirms, "obstruct" is correct and usable in written English and is used to describe blocking or hindering something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obstruct" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that means to block, hinder, or impede. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While there are several synonyms such as "impede", "hinder", and "block", it's important to choose the most contextually appropriate term. A key best practice is to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is being obstructed. Avoid overuse in situations where a milder term would be more suitable. Overall, "obstruct" is a versatile and valuable word for conveying significant impediments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede

Similar to obstruct, but often implies a slower or less complete blockage.

hinder

Suggests making it more difficult for something to happen or someone to do something.

block

Indicates a more direct and complete prevention of movement or progress.

impair

Signifies weakening or damaging something, thus hindering its function.

thwart

Implies actively preventing someone's plans or efforts from succeeding.

hamper

Suggests making progress difficult, often due to an encumbrance.

stall

Implies causing a delay or bringing something to a standstill.

derail

Indicates causing something to go off course or fail.

sabotage

Suggests deliberately destroying or damaging something to prevent its success.

restrain

Implies holding back or controlling something, limiting its freedom or movement.

FAQs

How can I use "obstruct" in a sentence?

You can use "obstruct" to describe the act of blocking a passage, hindering progress, or interfering with something. For example, "The protesters tried to obstruct traffic" or "Bureaucratic procedures often obstruct innovation."

What can I say instead of "obstruct"?

You can use alternatives like "impede", "hinder", or "block" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "obstruct" or "impede"?

Both "obstruct" and "impede" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Obstruct" implies a more direct and forceful blockage, while "impede" suggests a slowing down or hindering of progress.

What's the difference between "obstruct" and "delay"?

"Obstruct" means to block or prevent something, whereas "delay" means to postpone or slow down. "Obstruct" is a stronger term, implying a more significant impediment.