stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ- 
1
: an obstacle to progress
2
: an impediment to belief or understanding : perplexity
Examples of stumbling block in a Sentence
Lack of funds is a major stumbling block to the project.
My plans hit a stumbling block.
Recent Examples on the Web
Much of this work would require Congress to go along, which has been a stumbling block in the past.
—
Emily Peck, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Recommended Creativity Idina Menzel’s new Broadway show has a towering co-star: Stella the tree
One potential stumbling block could be President Zelenskyy’s insistence that any deal include serious security guarantees for his country.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
Villa intend to seek a replacement but have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Loic Bade, also from Sevilla.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Cathy Harris is from the Merit Systems Protection Board, which reviews disputes from federal workers and could be a significant stumbling block as the Trump administration seeks to carry out a dramatic downsizing of the workforce.
—Lindsay Whitehurst and Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
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Emily Peck, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Recommended Creativity Idina Menzel’s new Broadway show has a towering co-star: Stella the tree
One potential stumbling block could be President Zelenskyy’s insistence that any deal include serious security guarantees for his country.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
Villa intend to seek a replacement but have hit a stumbling block in their pursuit of Loic Bade, also from Sevilla.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Cathy Harris is from the Merit Systems Protection Board, which reviews disputes from federal workers and could be a significant stumbling block as the Trump administration seeks to carry out a dramatic downsizing of the workforce.
—Lindsay Whitehurst and Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stumbling block
Cite this Entry
“Stumbling block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stumbling%20block. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stumbling block
noun
stum·bling block
ˈstəm-bliŋ-
1
: an obstacle to belief or understanding
2
: an obstacle to progress
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