roadblocks

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Barriers placed across a road to stop or check vehicles.

   Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is 'roadblock'. It usually takes a plural verb: 'The roadblocks were removed.'

   Patterns

   • set up roadblocks
   • remove roadblocks
   • police roadblocks

   Police set up roadblocks after the prisoner escaped.

   Drivers were delayed by roadblocks on the main highway.

   The army used roadblocks to control movement in the city.

2. 2nounpluralfigurative

   Problems or obstacles that stop progress toward a goal.

   Grammar: Used figuratively; the singular 'roadblock' is also common. Often followed by 'to': 'roadblocks to success'.

   Patterns

   • roadblocks to something
   • face roadblocks
   • overcome roadblocks

   The project faced several roadblocks before it was approved.

   Lack of funding is one of the biggest roadblocks to research.

   She helped the team get past the roadblocks in their plan.

Word forms

Common combinations

police roadblocks

The police roadblocks slowed traffic for miles.

set up a roadblock

They set up a roadblock at the edge of town.

face roadblocks

New businesses often face roadblocks in their first year.

remove roadblocks

The manager promised to remove roadblocks to innovation.

Synonyms and how they differ

barrier

A barrier is any thing that blocks movement or progress; a roadblock is specifically on a road or is a specific obstacle.

obstacle

Obstacle is more general and often used for personal or abstract difficulties; roadblock is more forceful and often suggests a deliberate stop.

hurdle

A hurdle is a problem you must overcome, often in a process; a roadblock is a more complete stop.

Word family

roadblock noun

singular form; a barrier or obstacle

Practice

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Write a sentence using “roadblocks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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