stymie

[ stahy-mee ]

verb (used with object)

, sty·mied, sty·mie·ing.

1. to hinder, block, or thwart.

   Synonyms: confound, stump, frustrate, perplex

noun

1. a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.
2. Golf. (on a putting green) an instance of a ball's lying on a direct line between the cup and the ball of an opponent about to putt.

stymie

/ ˈstaɪmɪ /

verb

1. to hinder or thwart
2. golf to impede with a stymie

noun

1. golf (formerly) a situation on the green in which an opponent's ball is blocking the line between the hole and the ball about to be played: an obstructing ball may now be lifted and replaced by a marker
2. a situation of obstruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of stymie¹

First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of stymie¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Although some fear that a Republican-controlled Congress could attempt to stymie approvals issued in the final weeks of the Biden administration, a Newsom spokesman has previously told The Times that approvals of a California waiver were not subject to the Congressional Review Act, citing a decision by the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Gen. Rob Bonta has vowed to take the incoming president to court if his administration tries to stymie the state’s progressive agenda.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump could stymie, freeze, or even eliminate much of the law.

From Salon

Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol had blocked off the intersection of Whittier and Atlantic boulevards in an effort to stymie cruising, but to no avail — cars merely did a U-turn on Hillview Avenue.

From Los Angeles Times

He added that the former president has been trying to set up such an event in California for at least a year but it took work to find a setting that could accommodate tens of thousands of people that wasn’t in a city or county run by Democrats who could stymie his plans.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choke off
• crimp
• foil
• impede
• obstruct
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart