writer's block

noun

: a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece

Examples of writer's block in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Struck with writer's block after completing Boxers & Saints, Yang was inspired by his wife to build his next graphic novel on the story that was unfolding around him. Christian Holub, EW.com, 26 May 2023 Even Shakespeare suffered from writer's block, or at least that's the premise of the late '90s period romantic comedy, Shakespeare in Love. Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023 He was documented experiencing writer's block, discussing those struggles with fellow musicians and looking back on traumatic memories to provide writing material for D-Day. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 11 Dec. 2023 The story follows Augustus, a literary fiction author, and January, a romance novelist, who are in neighboring beach houses and struggling with writer's block. 6 One True Loves Now 29% Off Ahead of her freshman year at NYU, Lenore and her family take off on a Mediterranean cruise. Town & Country, 15 July 2023 The band members talk about the journey to transcending singer Matt Berninger's initial writer's block, and the new album's collaborations with Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers Matt Berninger felt paralyzed. Alex Swhear, Variety, 28 Apr. 2023 He'll be documented experiencing writer's block, discussing such hurdles with fellow musicians and looking back on traumatic memories to provide writing material for D-Day. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2023 In this ultra-scary film, writer Jack Torrance takes on a job as a caretaker for an isolated Colorado hotel, in the hopes of overcoming his writer's block. Amy Mitchell, Country Living, 10 Oct. 2022 Not sure where to start, or suffering from a case of writer's block? Country Living, 31 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'writer's block.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of writer's block was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near writer's block

Cite this Entry

“Writer's block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/writer%27s%20block. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

writer's block

noun
: a usually temporary psychological condition in which a writer is unable to proceed with a piece of writing

Medical Definition

writer's block

noun
wri·​ter's block ˈrīt-ərz- How to pronounce writer's block (audio)
: a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece of writing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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