obstruction
Something blocking passage
Obstruction is something that blocks passage or progress.
A physical obstruction prevents movement: an obstruction in the airway, road obstruction.
The word extends to interference with processes: obstruction of justice means hindering legal proceedings.
In sports, obstruction is illegally impeding an opponent's movement.
To cause an obstruction is to get in the way, literally or figuratively.
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- polypFleshy membrane projection
- strictureLimiting rule or censure
atherosclerosis · tumor · lesion · edema · ischemia · infarction · fibrosis · cyst
Thing that obstructs progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- setbackReverse in progress
- snagUnforeseen complication
barrier · stumbling block · handicap · encumbrance · constraint · deterrent · limitation · restraint
Delaying tactic through speech
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
veto · quorum · stalling · delaying tactics · talkathon · pocket veto · hold · noncompliance
Block or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- logjamObstruction halting flow
stoppage · plug · occlusion · backup · gridlock · jam · impasse · stagnation
Obstacle blocking a path
- blockadeSealing off a place
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- roadblockObstruction across a road
- damWater-holding barrier
wall · fence · gate · bollard · guardrail · checkpoint · partition · screen
Criminal courtroom dishonesty
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- subornationInducing another to commit perjury
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- witness intimidationThreatening courtroom testifiers
concealment · contempt · injunction · litigation · prosecution · defendant · antitrust · restraining order
Solid mass, or impede
- screenDisplay or barrier
- pickPointed breaking tool
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- holdingMaintaining physical possession
illegal block · foul · tackle · checking · boxing out · offside · encroachment · impeding
stenosis
Abnormal bodily narrowing
- occlusionComplete closure or blockage
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- polypFleshy membrane projection
stricture · atherosclerosis · tumor · lesion · edema · ischemia · infarction · fibrosis · cyst · calculus
impediment
Thing that obstructs progress
snag · barrier · stumbling block · handicap · encumbrance · constraint · deterrent · limitation · restraint · check
filibuster
Delaying tactic through speech
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- clotureProcedure ending legislative discussion
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
deadlock · veto · quorum · stalling · delaying tactics · talkathon · pocket veto · hold · noncompliance
clog
Block or wooden shoe
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
logjam · stoppage · plug · occlusion · backup · gridlock · jam · impasse · stagnation · buildup
barricade
Obstacle blocking a path
dam · wall · fence · gate · bollard · guardrail · checkpoint · partition · screen · palisade
perjury
Criminal courtroom dishonesty
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- subornationInducing another to commit perjury
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
witness intimidation · concealment · contempt · injunction · litigation · prosecution · defendant · antitrust · restraining order
block
Solid mass, or impede
- screenDisplay or barrier
- pickPointed breaking tool
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
holding · illegal block · foul · tackle · checking · boxing out · offside · encroachment · impeding · body check
- obstructiondelay, roadblock, blockade, barricade, bottleneck
- political scandalsWatergate, Iran-Contra, Whitewater, Teapot Dome, coverup
- scandalsscandal, controversy, coverup, cover-up, disgrace
- bowel obstructionintestinal blockage, adhesions, ileus, bezoar, bezoars
- light rightssunlight access, daylighting, light wells, overshadowing, shadowing
- tennisace, serve, forehand, backhand, volley
obstructionclearance
Permitted passage or approval
opening · clear path · passageway · doorway · access
obstructionadvancement
Forward movement or promotion
progress · facilitation · assistance · aid · help
obstructionassistance
Support or aid given
help · aid · support · facilitation · enablement
- nasal obstructionBlocked breathing passage
- obstruction of justiceInterfering with legal processes
- intestinal obstructionBlocked digestive passage
- throat obstruction
- traffic obstructionBarrier blocking vehicle passage
- airway obstructionBlocked respiratory passage
obstructive, obstructing, obstructionist, obstructions, obstructionism, obstructively, obstructionists