obstacle

noun

lack of childcare provision was cited as a major obstacle for women who wish to participate in training initiatives:

barrier, hurdle, stumbling block, bar, block, impediment, hindrance, snag, catch, drawback, hitch, handicap, deterrent, complication, difficulty, problem, disadvantage, balk, curb, check, stop, interference;

obstruction, barricade, blockade;

informal fly in the ointment, hiccup, facer;

British, informal spanner in the works;

North American, informal monkey wrench in the works;

dated cumber;

literary trammel.

▷antonyms advantage, asset, aid.