Barrier

Meaning

Barrier means something that prevents movement, progress, communication, or access, either physically or figuratively.

Pronunciation

/ˈbær.i.ər/

Word Forms

• Base form: barrier
• Plural: barriers

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

• break down barriers — to remove obstacles that prevent people or groups from communicating or cooperating.
• overcome a barrier — to successfully deal with something that prevents progress.
• create a barrier — to establish something that prevents movement, communication, or progress.
• remove a barrier — to eliminate an obstacle or restriction.
• language barrier — a difficulty in communication caused by people speaking different languages.
• physical barrier — something that physically prevents movement or access.

Example Sentences

• The wall acts as a barrier between the two properties.
• Fear can become a serious barrier to personal growth.
• They worked together to overcome the barriers that had divided them.
• The language barrier made communication difficult at first.
• Education can help break down social and cultural barriers.

Literary Example

Example:

“This dour old man opposed a grim barrier to his hopes.”

— Louis Tracy, The Silent Barrier

Here, barrier is used metaphorically to mean an obstacle that prevents someone from achieving something they want. The character sees another person as an obstacle standing between him and his hopes.

Story Workshop

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Related Words

Continue exploring words that begin with the letter B.

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