Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

obstruct

/əbˈstɹʌkt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.09 in modern English

Syllables
ob-struct
IPA
/əbˈstɹʌkt/
12
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle.

verb

To impede, retard, or interfere with; hinder.

verb

To get in the way of so as to hide from sight.

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /əbˈstɹʌkt/
  • British English: /əbˈstɹʌkt/

Inflected Forms

obstructs (present, singular) obstructing (participle, present) obstructed (participle, past) obstructed (past)

Derived Forms

deobstruct disobstruct obstructed obstructedly obstructer obstructive unobstruct unobstructed unobstructedly

Phrases

obstruct the field

Frequently Paired Words

obstacle

Synonyms

block barricade choke clog close off cumber forslow forwork foul gunk up hamper hinder

Antonyms

clear deobstruct open unblock

Rhymes With

fucked construct sucked tucked duct instruct reconstruct plucked deduct ducked destruct self-destruct

Questions

How do you pronounce obstruct?
The recorded pronunciation is /əbˈstɹʌkt/.
What does obstruct mean?
To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle.
Where does obstruct come from?
From Latin past participle stem obstruct- (“blocked up”), from verb obstruere, from ob (“against”) + struere (“pile up, build”).

How to pronounce obstruct

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “obstruct”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/əbˈstɹʌkt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “obstruct”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “obstruct” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.