obstructverb [ T ]
uk/əbˈstrʌkt/us/əbˈstrʌkt/to block a road, passage, entrance, etc. so that nothing can go along it, or to prevent something from happening correctly by putting difficulties in its way:
After the earthquake many roads were obstructed by collapsed buildings.
Her view of the stage was obstructed by a pillar.
An accident is obstructing traffic on the M11.
to try to stop something from happening or developing:
to obstruct a police investigation
UK He got five years in prison for withholding evidence and obstructing the course of justice.
US He was charged with obstructing justice.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Preventing and impeding
- avert
- avoid
- avoidable
- bar
- be a drag on sb/sth idiom
- block sth out
- blot
- bottleneck
- derail
- fireproof
- hold out on sb
- hold sb/sth back
- hold/keep sb/sth at bay idiom
- holding pattern
- impede
- prevention is better than cure idiom
- preventive
- prohibit
- pull
- pull the rug from under sb's feet idiom
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