Obstacle
Obstacle noun - Something that makes movement or progress difficult.
Problems
Obstacle and problems are semantically related in difficulty topic. Sometimes you can use "Obstacle" instead a noun "Problems".
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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If, early on in an arc, an ability is explained or an obstacle brought up that forces the protagonists to take a different route to solving their problems, you can bet the ability will be required and the obstacle will have to be dealt with in spite of all efforts to the contrary.
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On the other hand, their main obstacle is gone, Tokyo is being reformed/rebuilt, and befitting the theme of the series, everyone is happy/on the path to recovery in spite of all the lingering problems.
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Retief must contend with and solve problems involving a wide variety of bizarre alien species, while outwitting the main rival of the Terrans, the five-eyed, vaguely insectoid Groacibut his primary obstacle often seems to be the hidebound Vast Bureaucracy he works for.
Source: Literature / Retief
Cite this Source
Problems and Obstacle. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problems
Obstacle & Problems. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problems>.
Problems or Obstacle. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/obstacle/problems.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "obstacle" and "problems" have occurred on timeline