Obstructionists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who actively impede progress or the implementation of plans
2. People who create barriers either intentionally or through inaction during negotiations or decision-making processes
3. Actors who oppose and hinder advancements in legislation, projects, or reforms through various means

Etymology: "Obstructionists" is the plural of "obstructionist," which is formed from "obstruction" plus the suffix "-ist." The suffix has a long pedigree: it passed from Ancient Greek "-istēs," through Latin "-ista," into Old French "-iste," and then into Middle English, where it became a common way to name a person who follows or practises something. Attached to "obstruction," it describes someone who habitually blocks or hinders a process. The base word "obstruction" comes from Latin "obstruere," meaning "to build against" or "to block up," from "ob-" (against, in the way of) and "struere" (to pile up or build). The original picture is physical: something piled up in a path. Over time the sense moved from blocking a road or a pipe to blocking a plan, a bill, or a set of talks, and the "-ist" ending followed that shift, so the person who piles obstacles in the way of a decision came to be called an obstructionist.