ostacolare

to obstruct

verb oh-stah-koh-LAH-reh Rare

Also means

to hinder

Usage Note

Ostacolare derives from ostacolo (obstacle) and means to place obstacles in the way of something or someone. It takes avere as auxiliary. It is frequently used in sports (ostacolare l'avversario — to obstruct the opponent) and in politics or bureaucracy (ostacolare le riforme — to obstruct reforms). More formal than the colloquial bloccare.

Examples

"Le nuove leggi potrebbero ostacolare lo sviluppo."

Natural Translation

The new laws could hinder development.

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