Obstacle
Obstacle noun - Something that makes movement or progress difficult.
Problem
Problem noun - Something that requires thought and skill for resolution.
Obstacle is a synonym for problem in difficulty topic. You can use "Obstacle" instead a noun "Problem", if it concerns topics such as thing, obstruction, snag, dilemma.
Nearby Words: problematic, problematical
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
How words are described
| particular | particular obstacle | particular problem |
| similar | similar obstacle | similar problem |
| common | common obstacle | common problem |
| specific | specific obstacle | specific problem |
| Other adjectives: current, single, small, actual, real, constant, big, serious, huge, little, potential, main, new, major, frequent, final, minor, significant, recurring, bigger, biggest. | ||
Both words in one sentence
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From Invisibility to magic bowling balls to fork throwing etc., everyone's powers are used to solve some problem or obstacle.
Source: Film / Mystery Men -
Many times, he uses his knowledge of plants and gardening for MacGyvering a neat solution to a seemingly unsolvable problem or obstacle.
Source: Animation / The Little Mole -
The problem: it also considers you, the caster an obstacle, making it hard to hit enemies behind you, even though the spells are supposed to radiate out from you.
Source: Jumping on a Grenade
Cite this Source
Problem and Obstacle. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problem
Obstacle & Problem. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problem>.
Problem or Obstacle. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problem.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "obstacle" and "problem" have occurred on timeline