What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sabotaged
Example
The company's reputation was sabotaged by a malicious rumor. [sabotaged: past tense]
Example
She sabotaged her own chances of success by not preparing for the interview. [sabotaged: verb]
obstruct
Example
The road construction obstructed the traffic flow. [obstructed: past tense]
Example
The manager's micromanaging style obstructed the team's productivity. [obstructed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obstruct is more commonly used than sabotage in everyday language. Obstruct is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sabotage is less common and is typically used in more serious situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sabotaged and obstruct?
Both sabotage and obstruct can be used in formal and informal contexts, but sabotage is typically associated with a more serious and formal tone due to its severity.