obstructive

/əbˈstrʌktɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈstrʌktɪv/ (ame, ipa)

obstructive — adjective

  • obstructivepositive
  • more obstructivecomparative
  • most obstructivesuperlative

1. acting in a way that deliberately gets in the way of what other people want to d

1.形容詞C1
釋義

acting in a way that deliberately gets in the way of what other people want to do, often by delaying things or refusing to help

例句

Romi found the council clerk so obstructive that the form took six weeks to approve.

linking verb: be + obstructive (about a person)

The defence lawyer used obstructive tactics to slow down every part of the trial.

collocation: obstructive tactics

同義詞
  • uncooperative

    is the most neutral everyday word and simply says the person will not work with you

  • unhelpful

    is softer and can describe a single moment, not a steady pattern of blocking

  • awkward

    in British English describes a person who makes things difficult on purpose; close to obstructive but more casual

  • stonewalling

    stresses staying silent or refusing to answer, especially about questions or requests

反義詞
  • cooperative

    describes a person who works with you willingly

  • helpful

    suggests the person actively tries to make things easier

  • accommodating

    suggests the person adjusts their plans to fit yours

文法句型

be obstructive

obstructive behaviour

obstructive tactics

用法筆記

Subject is typically a person, official, department, or their behaviour rather than a physical thing. Often paired with words for slowing or refusing: tactics, behaviour, attitude, silence. The criticism is moral, not physical — the person could help but is choosing not to.

常見錯誤

❌The fallen tree was obstructive on the road.
✅The fallen tree was blocking the road.
💡for physical blocking of space or movement, use 'blocking' or 'in the way'; 'obstructive' is mainly about people who refuse to cooperate.