obstructor
One who impedes
An obstructor is a person or thing that blocks, hinders, or impedes progress.
The word appears most often in legal contexts—obstructor of justice—referring to someone who interferes with official proceedings or investigations.
More generally, any obstacle or impediment can be called an obstructor: The senator was seen as the chief obstructor of the bill.
One who deliberately undermines
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
- meddlerOne who interferes uninvited
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- blockerSomething that obstructs
interloper · agitator · opponent · adversary · antagonist · detractor · naysayer · contrarian
Thing that obstructs progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
snag · setback · complication · encumbrance · handicap · drawback · constraint · limitation
Obstacle blocking a path
- blockadeSealing off a place
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- damWater-holding barrier
- wallVertical enclosing structure
partition · roadblock · checkpoint · fence · palisade · bulwark · fortification · cordon
Delaying tactic through speech
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- appealFormal review request
- motionChange in position
objection · red tape · bureaucracy · regulation · technicality · litigation · stalling · stonewalling
saboteur
One who deliberately undermines
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
- meddlerOne who interferes uninvited
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
blocker · interloper · agitator · opponent · adversary · antagonist · detractor · naysayer · contrarian · troublemaker
impediment
Thing that obstructs progress
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- hurdleBarrier to leap over
- stumbling blockObstacle causing difficulty
bottleneck · snag · setback · complication · encumbrance · handicap · drawback · constraint · limitation · restriction
barricade
Obstacle blocking a path
wall · partition · roadblock · checkpoint · fence · palisade · bulwark · fortification · cordon · gate
filibuster
Delaying tactic through speech
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- appealFormal review request
motion · objection · red tape · bureaucracy · regulation · technicality · litigation · stalling · stonewalling · delay tactic
thrombus
Intravascular coagulated mass
embolus · plaque · calculus · stricture · adhesion · polyp · tumor · calcification · blockage · congestion
obstructorclearer
More easily understood
opener · liberator · pathfinder · trailblazer · pioneer
- nasal obstructionBlocked breathing passage
- obstruction of justiceInterfering with legal processes
- intestinal obstructionBlocked digestive passage
- obstructed viewVision impeded by obstacle
- throat obstruction
- traffic obstructionBarrier blocking vehicle passage
obstruct, obstruction, obstructed, urinary obstruction, obstructive, unobstructed, obstructing, obstructer, obstructors