What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brickwall
Example
The hikers encountered a brickwall on the trail and had to find an alternative route. [brickwall: noun]
Example
She felt like she was hitting a brickwall in her career and couldn't seem to make any progress. [brickwall: figurative]
obstacle
Example
The marathon runners had to jump over various obstacles during the race. [obstacles: plural noun]
Example
Lack of funding proved to be a major obstacle in starting their own business. [obstacle: singular noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obstacle is more commonly used than brickwall in everyday language. Obstacle is a widely recognized term that can be used in various contexts, while brickwall is less common and may have a slightly informal connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brickwall and obstacle?
While obstacle is considered more neutral and formal, brickwall is less common and may have a slightly informal or colloquial connotation. Therefore, obstacle is generally more appropriate for formal writing or professional contexts.
