Definitions
- Referring to stopping something from happening before it occurs. - Talking about taking action to avoid or eliminate a potential danger or problem. - Describing measures taken to keep something from occurring or spreading.
- Referring to blocking or hindering the progress or movement of something. - Talking about creating an obstacle or barrier that prevents something from happening. - Describing an action that interferes with the normal functioning of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve preventing or stopping something from happening.
- 2Both words can refer to actions taken to avoid or eliminate a potential problem.
- 3Both words can be used in a negative context, indicating that something is being prevented or blocked.
What is the difference?
- 1Intention: Prevent is proactive and aims to stop something from happening, while obstruct is reactive and refers to blocking something that is already in progress.
- 2Action: Prevent involves taking measures to stop something from happening, while obstruct involves creating a barrier or obstacle that prevents something from happening.
- 3Connotation: Prevent has a positive connotation, indicating that something is being stopped for a good reason, while obstruct has a negative connotation, indicating that something is being blocked or hindered.
- 4Scope: Prevent can refer to a wide range of situations, while obstruct is more limited in its usage and typically refers to physical barriers or obstacles.
- 5Formality: Prevent is more formal than obstruct, which is often used in casual conversation.
Remember this!
Prevent and obstruct are both verbs that refer to stopping or blocking something from happening. However, prevent is proactive and aims to stop something from happening before it occurs, while obstruct is reactive and refers to blocking something that is already in progress. Additionally, prevent has a positive connotation, while obstruct has a negative connotation.
