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FLY IN THE OINTMENT Synonyms

There are 16 synonyms of the phrase fly in the ointment. (exact relations)
There are 3 hypernyms of the phrase fly in the ointment. (close relations)

Best Alternative Words for FLY IN THE OINTMENT

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barrier
nounn
noun

• a structure or object that impedes free movement

• any condition that makes it difficult to make progress or to achieve an objective

• anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access

catch
verb, adverb, nounv, adv, n
noun

• a drawback or difficulty that is not readily evident

• the quantity that was caught

• a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect

• anything that is caught (especially if it is worth catching)

• a break or check in the voice (usually a sign of strong emotion)

• a restraint that checks the motion of something

• a fastener that fastens or locks a door or window

• a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth

• the act of catching an object with the hands

• the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)

verb

• discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

• perceive with the senses quickly, suddenly, or momentarily

• reach with a blow or hit in a particular spot

• take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

• succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase

• to hook or entangle

• attract and fix

• capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping

• reach in time

• get or regain something necessary, usually quickly or briefly

• catch up with and possibly overtake

• be struck or affected by

• check oneself during an action

• hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers

• see or watch

• cause to become accidentally or suddenly caught, ensnared, or entangled

• detect a blunder or misstep

• grasp with the mind or develop an understanding of

• come down with

• start burning

• perceive by hearing

• suffer from the receipt of

• attract; cause to be enamored

• apprehend and reproduce accurately

• take in and retain

• spread or be communicated

• be the catcher

• become aware of

• delay or hold up; prevent from proceeding on schedule or as planned

complication
nounn
noun

• the act or process of complicating

• a situation or condition that is complex or confused

• any disease or disorder that occurs during the course of (or because of) another disease

• a development that complicates a situation

• puzzling complexity

downside
nounn
noun

• a negative aspect of something that is generally positive

drawback
nounn
noun

• the quality of being a hindrance

hindrance
nounn
noun

• something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

• any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

• the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding

hitch
verb, nounv, n
noun

• a period of time spent in military service

• the state of inactivity following an interruption

• an unforeseen obstacle

• a connection between a vehicle and the load that it pulls

• a knot that can be undone by pulling against the strain that holds it; a temporary knot

• any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

• the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

verb

• to hook or entangle

• walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

• jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched

• travel by getting free rides from motorists

• connect to a vehicle:

impediment
nounn
noun

• something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

• any structure that makes progress difficult

inconvenience
nounn
noun

• an inconvenient discomfort

• a difficulty that causes anxiety

• the quality of not being useful or convenient

verb

• to cause inconvenience or discomfort to

nuisance
nounn
noun

• (law) a broad legal concept including anything that disturbs the reasonable use of your property or endangers life and health or is offensive

• something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness

obstacle
nounn
noun

• something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

• an obstruction that stands in the way (and must be removed or surmounted or circumvented)

obstruction
nounn
noun

• any structure that makes progress difficult

• the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction

• something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

• the act of obstructing

• getting in someone's way

problem
nounn
noun

• a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved

• a question raised for consideration or solution

• a source of difficulty

snag
verb, nounv, n
noun

• a sharp protuberance

• a dead tree that is still standing, usually in an undisturbed forest

• an opening made forcibly as by pulling apart

• an unforeseen obstacle

verb

• catch on a snag

• get by acting quickly and smartly

• hew jaggedly

trouble
nounn
noun

• a source of difficulty

• an angry disturbance

• an event causing distress or pain

• an effort that is inconvenient

• a strong feeling of anxiety

• an unwanted pregnancy

verb

• move deeply

• to cause inconvenience or discomfort to

• disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed

• take the trouble to do something; concern oneself

• cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed

stumbling block
nounn
noun

• any obstacle or impediment

Best Hypernyms For FLY IN THE OINTMENT

Here is a list of related hypernyms for fly in the ointment, these are close relations that fall within the same topic. Most relevant words are highlighted and in order.
Words (3)
inconvenience troublesomeness worriment

Alternatives for BARRIER

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