Obstacle
noun
A thing that stops you or slows you down from doing what you want.
The main obstacle to his success was his lack of experience
Often appears as...
- major obstacle
- overcome an obstacle
noun
In sports, a thing placed around a field or course that the players must avoid or get over.
In the obstacle course, players must leap over the hurdles without knocking them down
Often appears as...
- obstacle course
- clear an obstacle
noun
In law, a problem or difficulty that stops a legal process.
Proving his innocence becomes an obstacle when key evidence goes missing
Often appears as...
- legal obstacle
- remove an obstacle
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
A thing that stops you or slows you down from doing what you want.
The main obstacle to his success was his lack of experience
Often appears as...
- major obstacle
- overcome an obstacle
noun
In sports, a thing placed around a field or course that the players must avoid or get over.
In the obstacle course, players must leap over the hurdles without knocking them down
Often appears as...
- obstacle course
- clear an obstacle
noun
In law, a problem or difficulty that stops a legal process.
Proving his innocence becomes an obstacle when key evidence goes missing
Often appears as...
- legal obstacle
- remove an obstacle
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Mental Challenges
Obstacles aren't always physical; they can be doubts or fears in your mind.
His biggest obstacle was his own lack of confidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
Obstacle can describe any difficulty, not just a physical object.
Poverty is often an obstacle to higher education.
Pro Tip 3/3Overcoming Obstacles
To achieve a goal, you may need strategies to deal with obstacles.
She overcame the obstacle of poor internet by working in the library.
Pro Tip 1/3Mental Challenges
Obstacles aren't always physical; they can be doubts or fears in your mind.
His biggest obstacle was his own lack of confidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
Obstacle can describe any difficulty, not just a physical object.
Poverty is often an obstacle to higher education.
Pro Tip 3/3Overcoming Obstacles
To achieve a goal, you may need strategies to deal with obstacles.
She overcame the obstacle of poor internet by working in the library.
Pro Tip 1/3Mental Challenges
Obstacles aren't always physical; they can be doubts or fears in your mind.
His biggest obstacle was his own lack of confidence.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Use
Obstacle can describe any difficulty, not just a physical object.
Poverty is often an obstacle to higher education.
Pro Tip 3/3Overcoming Obstacles
To achieve a goal, you may need strategies to deal with obstacles.
She overcame the obstacle of poor internet by working in the library.
Compare with
barrierblockdifficultdisadvantagehandicaphurdleimpedimentobstructionset backsnag
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Video examples
The Curious Life of a...
So, we did some testing. And then we decided to go. But we didn't decide to go all at once. We put a toe in and then put another toe in, we drove up to the top and looked over and then we drove back. Then we said, "Okay, go." So here's the image from the other side. Here's the video of us driving over that particular obstacle.
Video examples
Gaming can make a better...
That's an epic win. This is a gamer on the verge of an epic win. And this is the face that we need to see on millions of problem-solvers all over the world as we try to tackle the obstacles of the next century -- the face of someone who, against all odds, is on the verge of an epic win.
Video examples
What I learned from 100...
I started teaching people how to turn rejections into opportunities. I use my blog, I use my talk, I use the book I just published, and I'm even building technology to help people overcome their fear of rejection. When you get rejected in life, when you are facing the next obstacle
Video examples
Want to be an activist?...
because I faced a lot of obstacles. People online, and sometimes even in real life, were disrespectful to me and my family and talked about how the whole thing was a waste of time, and it really discouraged me. And actually, I have some examples because what's better revenge
Video examples
Disability does not...
as a screenwriter I love telling stories about people who overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles where you're wondering how these characters you come to care about could possibly make it to the other side there's a parent the last thing I want is for my newborn child to
Video examples
Amy Purdy: Living beyond...
and our obstacles can only do two one, stop us in our tracks or two, force us to get creative. I did a year of research, still couldn't figure out what kind of legs to use, couldn't find any resources that could help me.
Video examples
Small Creatures In Need...
their care until they are ready the bats have their test flights in a special room with hanging towels having obstacles in the bat's flight path is highly important as dan can assess the bats reactions during flight
Video examples
Could we survive...
They'd then convert radiation into useful energy while protecting our DNA. This sounds pretty sci-fi, but may actually be achievable with current technology. But technology isn't the only obstacle.
Video examples
Disabled Baby Elephant...
obstacles like fallen trees so she's evidently accommodating the female with the you know the handicap because she's keeping up with the group otherwise she would just get lost in the forest left
Video examples
Whatever happened to...
and convinced politicians that such policies would raise energy costs and threaten jobs. These obstacles led the government to delay changes, and mandate further research into the issue.
Video examples
The Curious Life of a...
So, we did some testing. And then we decided to go. But we didn't decide to go all at once. We put a toe in and then put another toe in, we drove up to the top and looked over and then we drove back. Then we said, "Okay, go." So here's the image from the other side. Here's the video of us driving over that particular obstacle.
Video examples
Gaming can make a better...
That's an epic win. This is a gamer on the verge of an epic win. And this is the face that we need to see on millions of problem-solvers all over the world as we try to tackle the obstacles of the next century -- the face of someone who, against all odds, is on the verge of an epic win.
Video examples
What I learned from 100...
I started teaching people how to turn rejections into opportunities. I use my blog, I use my talk, I use the book I just published, and I'm even building technology to help people overcome their fear of rejection. When you get rejected in life, when you are facing the next obstacle
Video examples
Want to be an activist?...
because I faced a lot of obstacles. People online, and sometimes even in real life, were disrespectful to me and my family and talked about how the whole thing was a waste of time, and it really discouraged me. And actually, I have some examples because what's better revenge
Video examples
Disability does not...
as a screenwriter I love telling stories about people who overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles where you're wondering how these characters you come to care about could possibly make it to the other side there's a parent the last thing I want is for my newborn child to
Video examples
Amy Purdy: Living beyond...
and our obstacles can only do two one, stop us in our tracks or two, force us to get creative. I did a year of research, still couldn't figure out what kind of legs to use, couldn't find any resources that could help me.
Video examples
Small Creatures In Need...
their care until they are ready the bats have their test flights in a special room with hanging towels having obstacles in the bat's flight path is highly important as dan can assess the bats reactions during flight
Video examples
Could we survive...
They'd then convert radiation into useful energy while protecting our DNA. This sounds pretty sci-fi, but may actually be achievable with current technology. But technology isn't the only obstacle.
Video examples
Disabled Baby Elephant...
obstacles like fallen trees so she's evidently accommodating the female with the you know the handicap because she's keeping up with the group otherwise she would just get lost in the forest left
Video examples
Whatever happened to...
and convinced politicians that such policies would raise energy costs and threaten jobs. These obstacles led the government to delay changes, and mandate further research into the issue.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Eckhart Tolle
German Speaker
Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live.
Quote examples
Og Mandino
American Author
Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats.
Quote examples
Drew Barrymore
American Actress
I think the world offers so many wonderful varieties of obstacles, but that shouldn't be one for kids - is the worry that 'my parents wont be there.
Quote examples
Clint Eastwood
American Actor
It's always appealing to play a character that has to overcome himself as well as an obstacle. It makes the drama so much deeper.
Quote examples
Booker T. Washington
American Educator
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.
Quote examples
Jennifer Lopez
American Musician
A romantic comedy has to be funny and make you think about life; but the obstacle that has to be overcome is key.
Quote examples
Kunal Nayyar
British Actor
I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.
Quote examples
Thalia
Mexican Musician
I overcame a lot of obstacles in my life and in my childhood.
Quote examples
Rudy Ruettiger
Face life's obstacles and never give up on your dreams.
Quote examples
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Danish Actor
As an actor, secrets and obstacles fuel the character.
Quote examples
Eckhart Tolle
German Speaker
Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is life itself, it is an insane way to live.
Quote examples
Og Mandino
American Author
Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats.
Quote examples
Drew Barrymore
American Actress
I think the world offers so many wonderful varieties of obstacles, but that shouldn't be one for kids - is the worry that 'my parents wont be there.
Quote examples
Clint Eastwood
American Actor
It's always appealing to play a character that has to overcome himself as well as an obstacle. It makes the drama so much deeper.
Quote examples
Booker T. Washington
American Educator
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.
Quote examples
Jennifer Lopez
American Musician
A romantic comedy has to be funny and make you think about life; but the obstacle that has to be overcome is key.
Quote examples
Kunal Nayyar
British Actor
I really think if you take away a character's obstacles then there's no comedy.
Quote examples
Thalia
Mexican Musician
I overcame a lot of obstacles in my life and in my childhood.
Quote examples
Rudy Ruettiger
Face life's obstacles and never give up on your dreams.
Quote examples
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Danish Actor
As an actor, secrets and obstacles fuel the character.
Example 1 of 10
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