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When challenges collide: comparing "obstacle" and "difficulty"

Reviewed and edited by Lloyd Cooper 20/11/2024, 05:30
English.me team member
Obstacle and difficulty. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both "obstacle" and "difficulty" refer to challenges or hindrances that impede progress or make a task more demanding.

What is different?

"Obstacle" often refers to a physical barrier or a specific hindrance that needs to be overcome, while "difficulty" is more general and abstract, referring to the complexity or arduousness of a task or situation.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for obstacle) and difficulty

Examples of usage

Obstacle
  • The fallen tree was an obstacle in our path during the hike.
  • She faced many obstacles but managed to achieve her dreams.
  • The language barrier was a significant obstacle in the negotiation process.
Difficulty
  • He had difficulty understanding the complex instructions.
  • The difficulty of the math problem made it hard to solve.
  • She faced great difficulty in balancing her work and personal life.