Synonym Study

• Barrier applies to any apparently insurmountable obstacle that prevents progress or access or keeps separate and apart cultural differences are often a barrier to understanding
• Obstacle is used of anything that literally or figuratively stands in the way of one's progress her father's opposition remained their only obstacle
• Hindrance applies to anything that thwarts progress by holding back or delaying lack of supplies is the greatest hindrance to my experiment
• Obstruction refers to anything that blocks progress or some activity as if by stopping up a passage your interference is an obstruction of justice
• Impediment applies to anything that delays or retards progress by interfering with normal action a speech impediment