What does "obstacle" mean?

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

What is a synonym for "obstacle"?

Common synonyms include: obstruction, adversity, annoyances, balk, balks, bar.

/ˈɒbstəkəl/ noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress, either physically or figuratively
"A big obstacle to understanding the manual was that it had been poorly translated from the Japanese."
2
an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented) wordnet
3
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted wordnet

"The scandal was an obstacle to his promotion."

From Middle English obstacle, from Old French obstacle, from Latin obstāculum.