A relatively long, narrow object

strip, stake, rod, pole, stick, crossbar, boom, rib, jimmy, handspike, crosspiece, spar, pry, rail, ingot, block, cake, lever, pinch bar, wrecking bar, crowbar, shaft, slab, pig.

A counter serving refreshments, especially drinks, or the accompanying establishment

saloon, tavern, pub, public house, counter, buffet, barroom, cafe, bistro, cocktail lounge, beer parlor, beer garden, alehouse, fern bar, nightclub, cabaret, restaurant, inn, cafeteria, snack bar, canteen, grillroom, grill, taproom, tap, piano bar, wine bar, rathskeller, brasserie (French), brewery, speakeasy, roadhouse, watering hole*, booze joint*, dive*, barrelhouse*, gin mill*, honky-tonk*, after-hours joint*, local* (British).

A court of law

tribunal, judiciary, session; see court 2.

The legal profession

lawyers, advocates, counselors, barristers, judiciary, solicitors, jurists, body of lawyers, attorneys, the legal fraternity, bar association.

An obstruction

hindrance, obstacle, hurdle; see barrier.

A relatively long, narrow area

strip, stripe, ribbon; see band 1, stripe.

Raised ground underwater

shoal, bank, reef; see shoal. See syn. study at shoal.

To raise a physical obstruction

barricade, dam, dike, fence, wall, obstruct, erect a barrier, brick up, blockade, trammel, clog, exclude, shut, shut off, block, block off, block up, lock (out), keep out, debar, bolt, latch, cork, plug, seal, jam, caulk, stop, impede, (set up a) roadblock, raise the drawbridge*.

Antonyms open*, free*, clear. *

To obstruct by refusal

interdict, ban, forbid, disallow, deny, refuse, debar, repudiate, suspend, segregate, boycott, ostracize, blackball, prevent, preclude, shut out, keep out, exclude, exile, reject, outlaw, condemn, prohibit, discourage, discountenance, interfere with, restrain, stop, frustrate, circumvent, override, except, blacklist, freeze out*.

Antonyms allow*, admit*, welcome. *

To hinder

obstruct, impede, interfere with; see hinder. See syn. study at hinder.