English > obstacle: 2 senses > noun 1, cognition| Meaning | Something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted. |
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| Examples | - "lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement"
- "the poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education"
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| Synonym | obstruction |
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| Narrower | barrier, roadblock | Any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective |
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| hang-up, hitch, rub, snag | An unforeseen obstacle |
| hurdle | An obstacle that you are expected to overcome |
| stymie, stymy | A thwarting and distressing situation |
| Broader | hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check, handicap | Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress |
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| Spanish | barrera, dificultad, impedimento, obstáculo, obstrucción, traba |
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| Catalan | obstacle, obstrucció, trava |
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