Obstacle vs. Hindrance — What's the Difference?

An obstacle (also called a barrier, impediment, or stumbling block) is an object, thing, action or situation that causes an obstruction. Different types of obstacles include physical, economic, biopsychosocial, cultural, political, technological and military.

A thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone

A thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress

The act of hindering

Something that stands in the way of or holds up progress

The condition of being hindered.

Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress, either physically or figuratively

Something that hinders; an impediment.

That which stands in the way, or opposes; anything that hinders progress; a hindrance; an obstruction, physical or moral.

Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.

Something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted;

The state or act of hindering something

An obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)

The act of hindering, or the state of being hindered.

That which hinders; an impediment.

Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

The act of hindering or obstructing or impeding