obstruct

/əbˈstrʌkt/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈstrʌkt/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈstrəkt äb-/ (ame, mw)

obstruct — verb

  • obstructpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • obstructshe / she / it
  • obstructedpast simple
  • obstructing-ing form

1. to put something across or in front of a path, entrance, or opening so that peop

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to put something across or in front of a path, entrance, or opening so that people or things cannot move past it freely, or so that someone cannot see something clearly

例句

A fallen tree obstructed the mountain trail after the storm.

obstruct + noun phrase for physical blocking

The driver's view was obstructed by fog on the morning highway.

passive: be obstructed by [weather condition]

同義詞
  • block

    more general and everyday; 'block' can be temporary or permanent

  • clog

    suggests gradual build-up inside a pipe or narrow passage

  • barricade

    implies a deliberate, often defensive, barrier was built

反義詞
  • clear

    to remove everything that was blocking the way

  • unblock

    specifically to remove an obstruction from a pipe, drain, or path

文法句型

obstruct + noun phrase (road/path/entrance/view)

be obstructed by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive voice (be obstructed) when describing a situation rather than pointing to who or what caused the blocking. The active voice (something obstructs something) is also common when the obstruction is the subject of the sentence.

常見錯誤

❌The car was obstructing on the road.
✅The car was obstructing traffic on the road.
💡obstruct needs a direct object; you cannot use it alone.
❌He obstructed the road by parking.
✅He obstructed the road by parking his van across both lanes.
💡the cause of the obstruction should be clearly stated, not left vague.

2. to deliberately create problems or difficulties that slow down or stop a process

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deliberately create problems or difficulties that slow down or stop a process, plan, or legal procedure from making progress

例句

The site manager was fined £15,000 for locking the gates to obstruct the fire safety inspection.

obstruct + noun phrase (process/inspection)

Omar was arrested for hiding documents to obstruct the fraud investigation.

同義詞
  • hinder

    softer; can be accidental or intentional; less formal and less serious than 'obstruct'

  • impede

    more formal; suggests slowing rather than stopping entirely

  • thwart

    stronger; suggests completely stopping someone's plan

反義詞
  • facilitate

    to make a process easier or smoother

  • aid

    to give help or support to a process or investigation

文法句型

obstruct + noun phrase (investigation/process/effort/justice)

用法筆記

Object is typically an abstract noun describing a formal process — investigation, inquiry, vote, negotiation, progress. This sense carries a negative judgment: the obstruction is seen as wrong or unlawful, especially in legal contexts (obstructing justice is a criminal offence). Distinguish from sense 1, which is about physical barriers: sense 2 is about deliberate interference with procedures.

常見錯誤

❌He obstructed me from entering the room.
✅He blocked me from entering the room.
💡for preventing a person's movement, use 'block' rather than 'obstruct'.
❌The rain obstructed our picnic.
✅The rain ruined our picnic.
💡use 'obstruct' only for deliberate or formal interference with a process, not for everyday mishaps.