obstructionism

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UK/əbˈstɹʌk.ʃən.ɪz(.ə)m/

noun

A deliberate policy of obstructing something, especially a political process or body.

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Meanings

nounobstructionism (countable and uncountable, plural obstructionisms)

plural obstructionisms

  1. countableuncountableA deliberate policy of obstructing something, especially a political process or body.

    The most promising mode of attack for the right may be state-led obstructionism.

    2010 October 14, “Coming back to bite him”, in The Economist

Origin

From obstruction + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

obstructionism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/obstructionism

MLA

“obstructionism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/obstructionism. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “obstructionism,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/obstructionism.

Source: obstructionism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.