Obstacle vs. difficulty: what’s the difference?
The short answer
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.
What they have in common
Both obstacle and difficulty refer to challenges or hindrances that impede progress or make a task more demanding.
Examples
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.
Which one is more common?
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