English noun: obstacle | |||
1. | obstacle (cognition) something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted | ||
Samples | Lack of imagination is an obstacle to one's advancement. The poverty of a district is an obstacle to good education. The filibuster was a major obstruction to the success of their plan. | ||
Synonyms | obstruction | ||
Broader (hypernym) | balk, baulk, check, deterrent, handicap, hinderance, hindrance, impediment | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | barrier, hang-up, hitch, hurdle, roadblock, rub, snag, stymie, stymy | ||
2. | obstacle (artifact) an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented) | ||
Broader (hypernym) | impediment, impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | hazard, stumbling block, water jump | ||