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Added 9 October 2026

obstruct

/əbˈstɹʌkt/ verb

In Latin: obstō, obstruō Wiktionary

verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about obstruct at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of.
His brother blocked him at every turn
Block passage through.
obstruct the path
Shut out from view or get in the way so as to hide from sight.
The thick curtain blocked the action on the stage

Origin

From Latin past participle stem obstruct- (“blocked up”), from verb obstruere, from ob (“against”) + struere (“pile up, build”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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