Definitions
- Referring to an action that prevents something from happening. - Talking about a situation where something is made impossible or impractical. - Describing a condition that makes something unlikely or impossible to occur.
- Referring to an action that blocks or hinders progress or movement. - Talking about a situation where something is made difficult or impossible to achieve. - Describing a condition that creates an obstacle or barrier to success or completion.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to actions that prevent or hinder something from happening.
- 2Both words can be used in a negative context.
- 3Both words can be used to describe physical or non-physical barriers.
- 4Both words imply a sense of difficulty or impossibility.
What is the difference?
- 1Action: Preclude refers to an action that prevents something from happening, while obstruct refers to an action that blocks or hinders progress or movement.
- 2Intention: Preclude implies a deliberate action to prevent something, while obstruct may not necessarily be intentional.
- 3Degree: Preclude suggests a complete prevention or impossibility, while obstruct suggests a partial or temporary hindrance.
- 4Focus: Preclude emphasizes the prevention of something from happening, while obstruct emphasizes the hindrance of progress or movement.
- 5Usage: Preclude is more formal and less commonly used than obstruct, which is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
Remember this!
While both preclude and obstruct refer to actions that prevent or hinder something from happening, they differ in their intention, degree, and focus. Preclude implies a deliberate action to prevent something completely, while obstruct suggests a partial or temporary hindrance. Additionally, preclude is more formal and less commonly used than obstruct, which is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
