obstaculizar

to obstruct; to hinder

verb ohbs-tah-koo-lee-SAHR Rare

Origin: From obstáculo (obstacle) + -izar.

Usage Note

Obstaculizar means to place obstacles in the way of something or someone. It is more formal than impedir (to prevent) and is common in political and legal language: obstaculizar la justicia (to obstruct justice). The -zar ending changes to -c- before -e in conjugation (obstaculicé).

Examples

"No debes obstaculizar el paso de emergencia."

Natural Translation

You must not obstruct the emergency passage.

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