barriers
Things preventing passage
Barriers are things that block passage or progress.
A physical barrier like a fence or wall prevents movement through a space: Police set up barriers to control the crowd.
Barriers also work figuratively—obstacles that prevent achievement or connection: language barriers, barriers to entry, breaking down barriers between communities.
The word emphasizes separation and the effort required to overcome it.
Barrier to leap over
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- roadblockObstruction across a road
bottleneck · snag · difficulty · challenge · setback · complication · interference · gridlock
Vertical enclosing structure
- fenceBoundary structure between properties
- gateHinged barrier in fence
- blockadeSealing off a place
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
obstruction · partition · railing · bollard · checkpoint · turnstile · guardrail · roadblock
Handheld defensive armor
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- defenseProtection against harm
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
armor · bulwark · rampart · parapet · insulation · membrane · seal · coating
Outer edge or limit
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- divideSeparate into parts
- separationState of being apart
partition · rift · gulf · schism · estrangement · alienation · Iron Curtain · Berlin Wall
Maximum allowed extent
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- capCovering for top
- ceilingRoom's upper surface
- quotaFixed assigned amount
sanction · moratorium · ban · prohibition · injunction · curfew · lockdown · censorship
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
- traumaLasting psychological wound
phobia · mental block · resistance · denial · avoidance · trust issues · learned helplessness · impostor syndrome
System of symbolic communication
- translationConverting between languages
- jargonSpecialized professional vocabulary
- literacyAbility to read, write
- deafnessLack of auditory function
muteness · silence · misunderstanding · cultural · generational · digital divide · accessibility · interpreter
Unjust differential treatment
- segregationForced separation by group
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
ableism · stigma · caste · class · inequality · glass ceiling · redlining · apartheid
hurdle
Barrier to leap over
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
roadblock · bottleneck · snag · difficulty · challenge · setback · complication · interference · gridlock · red tape
wall
Vertical enclosing structure
obstacle · obstruction · partition · railing · bollard · checkpoint · turnstile · guardrail · roadblock · dam
shield
Handheld defensive armor
fortification · armor · bulwark · rampart · parapet · insulation · membrane · seal · coating · sunscreen
border
Outer edge or limit
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- divideSeparate into parts
separation · partition · rift · gulf · schism · estrangement · alienation · Iron Curtain · Berlin Wall · DMZ
limit
Maximum allowed extent
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- capCovering for top
- ceilingRoom's upper surface
quota · sanction · moratorium · ban · prohibition · injunction · curfew · lockdown · censorship · regulation
fear
Emotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- self-doubtUncertainty about oneself
trauma · phobia · mental block · resistance · denial · avoidance · trust issues · learned helplessness · impostor syndrome
language
System of symbolic communication
- translationConverting between languages
- jargonSpecialized professional vocabulary
- literacyAbility to read, write
deafness · muteness · silence · misunderstanding · cultural · generational · digital divide · accessibility · interpreter · sign language
discrimination
Unjust differential treatment
- segregationForced separation by group
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
sexism · ableism · stigma · caste · class · inequality · glass ceiling · redlining · apartheid · Jim Crow
- safetysafety helmet, hazard, airbag, alert, occupational safety
- avoidanceavoidance, distancing, evasion, dodging, pulling away
- constraintsconstraint, limits, restrictions, deadline, restraints
- fortificationsfort, fortress, fortresses, citadel, citadels
- Hurdleshurdle, hurdles, hurdler, hurdle race, lead leg
- obstaclesblock, obstacles, blockers, hurdles, constraint
barriersenablers
Those who facilitate harm
facilitators · aids · catalysts · advantages · opportunities
- language barrierMutual incomprehension across tongues
- barrier reefsOffshore coral formations creating lagoons
- sound barrierMach one transition zone
- blood-brain barrierProtective cerebral filtration system
- break down barriers
- breaking the barrier