Top 44 Slang For Hindrance – Meaning & Usage

When life throws obstacles in our way, it’s essential to have the right words to express those moments of frustration and delay. From everyday nuisances to major setbacks, navigating through hindrances can be a challenge. But fear not, as we’ve got you covered with a collection of the most relatable and trendy slang for hindrance. Let’s dive in and explore how to communicate those roadblocks with style and flair!

Click above to generate some slangs

1. Obstacle

An obstacle refers to something that stands in the way or hinders progress. It can be a physical or metaphorical barrier that needs to be overcome.

For example, “The lack of funding was a major obstacle in completing the project.”
In a sports context, a player might say, “The opposing team’s defense was a tough obstacle to overcome.”
A person discussing personal growth might say, “Facing and overcoming obstacles is an important part of self-improvement.”

2. Roadblock

A roadblock is a literal or figurative barrier that obstructs progress or prevents movement. It can be a physical barrier on a road or a metaphorical challenge that needs to be navigated.

For instance, “The sudden loss of funding was a major roadblock for the company.”
In a personal context, someone might say, “Lack of motivation can be a roadblock to achieving your goals.”
A person discussing relationships might say, “Communication issues can often create roadblocks in a partnership.”

3. Impediment

An impediment refers to something that hinders or obstructs progress. It can be a physical, mental, or emotional barrier that makes it more difficult to achieve a goal or complete a task.

For example, “His speech impediment was an impediment to his public speaking career.”
In a business context, someone might say, “Lack of funding can be a major impediment to starting a new venture.”
A person discussing personal growth might say, “Identifying and addressing your personal impediments is key to overcoming challenges.”

4. Barrier

A barrier is something that blocks or hinders progress. It can be a physical structure, a rule, or a mental/emotional obstacle that prevents movement or achievement.

For instance, “Language barriers can make communication difficult in a multicultural workplace.”
In a financial context, someone might say, “High entry costs act as a barrier to starting a business.”
A person discussing personal relationships might say, “Trust issues can create barriers to forming deep connections.”

5. Snag

A snag refers to an unexpected problem or obstacle that causes a delay or difficulty. It can be a minor setback or a more significant issue that needs to be resolved.

For example, “We hit a snag in the project when the main supplier backed out.”
In a personal context, someone might say, “I hit a snag when my car broke down on the way to the job interview.”
A person discussing home renovations might say, “Running into unexpected plumbing issues can be a common snag in remodeling projects.”

6. Hitch

A hitch refers to an unexpected difficulty or obstacle that causes a delay or interruption in progress. It can refer to a minor setback or a major problem.

For example, “We hit a hitch in our plans when the car broke down.”
In a work context, someone might say, “We encountered a hitch in the project timeline due to a supplier delay.”
A person describing a challenging situation might say, “We’re facing a hitch in our relationship that we need to work through.”

7. Setback

A setback is a temporary or permanent delay or obstacle that hinders progress or success. It can refer to a minor inconvenience or a major failure.

For instance, “The heavy rain was a setback for our outdoor event.”
In a business context, someone might say, “We experienced a setback in our sales goals due to a market downturn.”
A person discussing personal goals might say, “I faced several setbacks along the way, but I never gave up.”

8. Handicap

Handicap can refer to a disadvantage or limitation that hinders someone’s ability to perform or succeed. It can also refer to a physical or mental disability.

For example, “His lack of experience was a handicap in the job interview.”
In a sports context, someone might say, “The team’s star player being injured was a handicap for their chances of winning.”
A person discussing inclusivity might say, “We need to remove the social handicaps that prevent equal opportunities for all.”

9. Hurdle

A hurdle refers to a challenge or obstacle that needs to be overcome in order to achieve a goal or make progress. It can be a metaphorical or literal barrier.

For instance, “Getting a college degree is a significant hurdle for many students.”
In a sports context, someone might say, “He cleared the final hurdle and won the race.”
A person discussing personal growth might say, “I faced many hurdles in my journey, but each one made me stronger.”

10. Blockage

A blockage refers to a physical or metaphorical obstruction that prevents movement or progress. It can refer to a literal barrier or a figurative hindrance.

For example, “There was a blockage on the highway, causing a traffic jam.”
In a creative context, someone might say, “I’m experiencing a blockage in my writing; I can’t seem to find inspiration.”
A person discussing emotional healing might say, “I had to remove the blockages in my life in order to move forward.”

11. Deterrent

Something that discourages or prevents someone from taking a particular action or achieving a goal. A deterrent is often used to describe something that acts as a barrier or hindrance.

For example, “The high cost of tuition is a deterrent for many students considering higher education.”
In a discussion about crime prevention, someone might say, “Visible security cameras can act as a deterrent to potential burglars.”
A person might warn, “Lack of job opportunities can be a deterrent for individuals considering moving to a new city.”

12. Inconvenience

Something that causes trouble, difficulty, or discomfort. Inconvenience refers to a situation or action that creates an extra burden or hassle.

For instance, “The closure of the main road caused a lot of inconvenience for commuters.”
In a conversation about travel, someone might say, “Delayed flights are always an inconvenience.”
A person might complain, “Having to wait in long lines at the grocery store is such an inconvenience.”

13. Disruption

An interruption or disturbance that causes a break in the normal flow or functioning of something. Disruption refers to an event or action that interrupts or hinders the smooth operation of a process or system.

For example, “The power outage caused a disruption in the company’s operations.”
In a discussion about technology, someone might say, “The invention of smartphones brought about a major disruption in the way we communicate.”
A person might comment, “The noise from the construction site is causing a disruption in the neighborhood.”

14. Impasse

A situation in which progress is impossible because the parties involved cannot reach an agreement or find a solution. Impasse refers to a point of stagnation or standstill, often resulting from conflicting interests or opinions.

For instance, “The negotiations between the two countries reached an impasse, and no agreement could be reached.”
In a conversation about a disagreement, someone might say, “We’ve reached an impasse and can’t seem to find a compromise.”
A person might express frustration, “The impasse in the project is preventing us from moving forward.”

15. Catch

An unexpected problem or obstacle that causes a delay or difficulty. Catch refers to a situation where something unexpected or unforeseen arises, creating a hindrance or setback.

For example, “We hit a catch when the equipment malfunctioned, delaying the production.”
In a discussion about planning an event, someone might say, “There’s always a catch that comes up at the last minute.”
A person might exclaim, “I can’t seem to catch a break with all these catches popping up!”

16. Holdup

A holdup refers to a situation or event that causes a delay or obstruction. It can also refer to a robbery or theft.

For example, “Sorry for the holdup, there was traffic on the way.”
In a crime context, one might say, “There was a holdup at the bank yesterday.”
Another usage could be, “The holdup in production is causing delays in the project.”

17. Bottleneck

A bottleneck refers to a point of congestion or obstruction that slows down progress or movement. It can also refer to a situation where there is a limited capacity to handle a certain volume.

For instance, “The traffic jam created a bottleneck on the highway.”
In a business context, one might say, “The lack of resources is creating a bottleneck in the production process.”
Another usage could be, “The bottleneck in the supply chain is causing delays in delivery.”

18. Stumbling block

A stumbling block refers to an obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress or success. It can also refer to a challenge or problem that needs to be overcome.

For example, “Lack of funding has been a stumbling block for the project.”
In a personal context, one might say, “Fear of failure can be a stumbling block in pursuing one’s dreams.”
Another usage could be, “The language barrier was a stumbling block in their communication.”

19. Clog

To clog means to block or obstruct a passage or flow. It can also refer to a situation where there is an excessive accumulation or congestion.

For instance, “The drain is clogged with hair.”
In a metaphorical sense, one might say, “The clog of paperwork is slowing down the approval process.”
Another usage could be, “The clogged traffic caused delays in reaching the destination.”

20. Jam

Jam can refer to a situation of congestion or blockage, often related to traffic or movement. It can also mean to get stuck or be unable to move forward.

For example, “There was a traffic jam on the highway.”
In a music context, one might say, “Let’s jam together and play some tunes.”
Another usage could be, “The printer jammed and we couldn’t print the documents.”

21. Drawback

This term refers to a negative aspect or feature of something, often causing hindrance or inconvenience. It implies that there is a downside to a particular situation or action.

For example, “One drawback of living in a big city is the high cost of living.”
In a discussion about a new technology, someone might point out, “The main drawback of this device is its short battery life.”
A person might say, “The drawback of procrastinating is that you end up rushing to meet deadlines.”

22. Hang-up

This slang term refers to a barrier or impediment that causes a delay or difficulty in progress. It can also refer to a mental or emotional blockage that prevents someone from moving forward.

For instance, “One of the hang-ups in completing the project is the lack of funding.”
In a conversation about personal growth, someone might say, “I need to work through my hang-ups in order to pursue my dreams.”
A person might mention, “Don’t let your hang-ups hold you back from taking risks.”

23. Catch-22

This phrase describes a situation in which someone is trapped between two contradictory choices, making it impossible to escape or find a solution. It implies that no matter what decision is made, there will be negative consequences.

For example, “I can’t get a job without experience, but I can’t gain experience without a job. It’s a catch-22.”
In a discussion about government regulations, someone might say, “The catch-22 is that you need a license to start a business, but you can’t get a license without a business.”
A person might mention, “It’s a catch-22 situation because I need money to pay off my debts, but I can’t get a job without a clean credit history.”

24. Snarl

This word is used metaphorically to describe a complicated or tangled situation that causes confusion or obstruction. It implies that things are not progressing smoothly and there are multiple obstacles in the way.

For instance, “The traffic was a snarl this morning, causing me to be late for work.”
In a conversation about a complicated project, someone might say, “The different departments’ conflicting opinions created a snarl in the decision-making process.”
A person might mention, “The paperwork required to apply for a visa is a snarl of confusing instructions and forms.”

25. Rub

This slang term refers to a small obstacle or difficulty that causes annoyance or inconvenience. It implies that something is not going as smoothly as expected.

For example, “I hit a rub when my computer crashed and I lost all my work.”
In a discussion about travel, someone might say, “Missing the train was a rub, but luckily there was another one an hour later.”
A person might mention, “Dealing with customer complaints is always a rub in my job.”

26. Check

A check is an obstacle or hindrance that prevents progress or success. It can refer to a barrier or difficulty that needs to be overcome.

For instance, “The lack of funding was a check to the project’s development.”
In a game or sport, a player might say, “The opponent’s strong defense was a check to our offense.”
A person facing personal challenges might describe them as, “Life has thrown me many checks along the way.”

27. Snafu

Snafu is an acronym for “Situation Normal: All Fucked Up.” It refers to a chaotic or disorganized state of affairs, often resulting from a mistake or error.

For example, “The party planning turned into a snafu when the caterer canceled at the last minute.”
A person recounting a series of mishaps might say, “Everything that could go wrong went wrong. It was a total snafu.”
In a work setting, a frustrated employee might complain, “The new system implementation has caused a snafu in our daily operations.”

28. Stymie

To stymie means to block or impede progress or achievement. It can refer to a situation where one’s efforts are hindered or frustrated.

For instance, “The lack of resources stymied the team’s ability to complete the project on time.”
In a game or competition, one might say, “The opposing team’s strong defense stymied our scoring attempts.”
A person facing obstacles might express, “I feel like every step forward is met with something that stymies my progress.”

29. Thwart

To thwart means to prevent or hinder someone or something from accomplishing a goal or intention. It implies an intentional act of obstruction.

For example, “The security measures thwarted the attempted robbery.”
A person discussing challenges might say, “I won’t let anything thwart my dreams and aspirations.”
In a story or novel, a hero might thwart the villain’s plans to take over the world.

30. Foil

To foil means to sabotage or frustrate someone’s plans or efforts. It implies an intentional act of interference or obstruction.

For instance, “The detective foiled the criminal’s escape plan.”
In a competitive setting, one might say, “The underdog team foiled the reigning champions’ attempt to win the championship.”
A person recounting a series of setbacks might say, “It seems like every time I try to succeed, something or someone foils my plans.”

31. Frustrate

To cause someone to feel annoyed or irritated, especially when their efforts are being hindered or obstructed.

For example, “The constant interruptions frustrated him as he tried to work.”
A person might say, “I’m so frustrated with this slow internet connection.”
Another might exclaim, “Don’t frustrate me with your excuses!”

32. Block

To stop or hinder someone or something from progressing or achieving a goal.

For instance, “The road construction blocked the usual route to work.”
In a sports context, a player might say, “I managed to block the opponent’s shot.”
A person might warn, “Don’t let negative thoughts block your path to success.”

33. Hinder

To create obstacles or difficulties that impede or slow down progress or development.

For example, “The heavy rain hindered our ability to travel.”
A person might say, “Lack of funding is hindering the completion of the project.”
Another might comment, “Don’t let fear hinder you from taking risks.”

34. Obstruct

To block or get in the way of someone or something, preventing them from moving forward or achieving their objective.

For instance, “The fallen tree obstructed the path.”
In a political context, a person might say, “They are trying to obstruct the investigation.”
A player in a game might complain, “The referee’s bad call obstructed our chance to score.”

35. Inhibit

To restrict or restrain someone or something from functioning or progressing as desired.

For example, “Fear can inhibit a person’s ability to take risks.”
A person might say, “The strict rules inhibit creativity.”
Another might comment, “Lack of resources can inhibit a company’s growth.”

36. Hamper

To hinder or impede the progress or movement of someone or something. “Hamper” is often used to describe an action or situation that causes difficulty or inconvenience.

For instance, “The heavy rain hampered our plans to go hiking.”
In a sports context, one might say, “The opposing team’s strong defense hampered our ability to score.”
A person discussing work challenges might comment, “Technical difficulties with the computer system are hampering our productivity.”

37. Delay

To cause something to happen at a later time than originally planned. “Delay” refers to a temporary hindrance or interruption that causes a delay in progress or completion.

For example, “The flight was delayed due to bad weather.”
A person might say, “I need to delay our meeting until next week.”
In a discussion about project management, one might mention, “Unexpected obstacles can delay the timeline of a project.”

38. Slow down

To reduce the speed or pace of something. “Slow down” is a colloquial term often used to describe a hindrance or obstacle that causes a decrease in speed or progress.

For instance, “The heavy traffic slowed down our commute.”
In a conversation about time management, one might say, “Multitasking can actually slow down your productivity.”
A person giving advice might suggest, “Take a moment to slow down and reflect before making a decision.”

39. Hold back

To prevent or restrict someone or something from moving forward or making progress. “Hold back” implies a deliberate action to hinder or restrain.

For example, “The fear of failure was holding her back from pursuing her dreams.”
A person might say, “I had to hold back my anger during the argument.”
In a discussion about teamwork, one might mention, “A lack of trust can hold back the team’s progress.”

40. Interfere

To get involved or intervene in someone else’s affairs or actions, often causing a hindrance or disruption. “Interfere” implies an unwanted or unwelcome involvement.

For instance, “He always tries to interfere in other people’s relationships.”
In a conversation about parenting, one might say, “It’s important not to interfere too much in your child’s decision-making.”
A person discussing work dynamics might mention, “Micromanaging can interfere with employees’ ability to work independently.”

41. Meddle

To interfere or intrude in someone else’s affairs or business. It often implies unwanted or unnecessary involvement.

For example, “Stop meddling in my personal life!”
In a discussion about politics, someone might say, “Foreign governments should not meddle in the domestic affairs of other countries.”
A parent might tell their child, “Don’t meddle with that, it’s dangerous!”

42. Disrupt

To interrupt or disturb the normal flow or functioning of something.

For instance, “The loud noise disrupted the lecture.”
In a business context, someone might say, “The new technology disrupted the market.”
A teacher might reprimand a student, “Your behavior is disrupting the class.”

43. Derail

To divert or cause something to deviate from its intended or planned course.

For example, “The unexpected rainstorm derailed our outdoor plans.”
In a discussion about a project, someone might say, “We need to stay focused and not let small issues derail our progress.”
A train conductor might announce, “Due to a mechanical issue, this train will be temporarily derailed.”

44. Glitch

A minor malfunction or problem in a system, often of a technical nature.

For instance, “There seems to be a glitch in the software.”
In a conversation about video games, someone might say, “I encountered a glitch that caused me to fall through the floor.”
A customer might complain, “There’s a glitch in this app that keeps crashing.”