obstruct

(əb-strŭkt', ŏb-)
tr.v., -struct·ed, -struct·ing, -structs.

1. To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle. See synonyms at block.
2. To impede, retard, or interfere with; hinder: obstructed my progress. See synonyms at hinder¹.
3. To get in the way of so as to hide from sight.

[Latin obstruere, obstrūct- : ob-, against; see ob- + struere, to pile up.]

obstructer ob·struct'er or ob·struc'tor n.
obstructive ob·struc'tive adj.
obstructively ob·struc'tive·ly adv.
obstructiveness ob·struc'tive·ness n.

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verb

1. To interfere with the progress of: bog (down), encumber, hinder, hold back, impede. Idioms: get in the way of. See help/harm/harmless, open/close.
2. To stop or prevent passage of: bar, block, dam, impede. Idioms: bestandin the way of. See open/close.
3. To cut off from sight: block (out), conceal, hide¹, obscure, screen, shroud, shut off (or out). See show/hide.

v

Definition: prevent, restrict
Antonyms: abet, aid, assist, boost, clear, help, promote, support

(DOD, NATO) In naval mine warfare, a device laid with the sole object of obstructing or damaging mechanical minesweeping equipment.

IN BRIEF: v. - Block passage through; Shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight; Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of.

Tutor's tip: An "abstract" is a summary or synopsis, while to "obstruct" means to block or shut out.

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Having the characteristic of obstruction.

• o. colic — see equine colic.
• o. constipation — constipation of sufficient severity as to obstruct the rectum.
• o. pulmonary disease — see chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• o. shock — circulatory failure caused by physical obstruction, e.g. cardiac tamponade or pulmonary embolism.
• o. urolithiasis — see ureteral, urethral obstruction.
• o. uropathy — any obstructive disease of the urinary tract.

For a list of words related to obstruct, see:

• Opposition, Disagreement, and Attack - obstruct: (vb) hinder, impede by blocking

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See words rhyming with "obstructor."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Obstruct.

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - spærre, tilstoppe, hindre, hæmme, forsinke, sinke

Nederlands (Dutch)
belemmeren, beletten, versperren, tegenhouden, opstoppen

Français (French)
v. tr. - cacher, obstruer, bloquer, gêner (la circulation), entraver (des progrès), faire obstruction à, (Jur) entraver le cours de

Deutsch (German)
v. - behindern, aufhalten, blockieren, verstopfen, versperren

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - (παρ)εμποδίζω, (παρα)κωλύω, αποφράσσω, βουλώνω

Italiano (Italian)
ostacolare, ostruire, occludere, chiudere, sbarrare

Português (Portuguese)
v. - obstruir, tapar, retardar

Русский (Russian)
мешать, препятствовать

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - estorbar, obstaculizar, entorpecer, obstruir, bloquear

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - täppa till, spärra, blockera, hindra

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
阻隔, 阻塞, 妨碍

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 阻隔, 阻塞, 妨礙

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 통로를 막다, 빛을 차단하다

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - ふさぐ, 遮る, 妨げる, 妨害する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) يعيق‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮חסם, הסתיר, הקשה, הערים מכשולים, הפריע‬

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