stonewall

1 of 2

verb

stone·​wall ˈstōn-ˌwȯl 

stonewalled; stonewalling; stonewalls

intransitive verb

1

chiefly British : to engage in obstructive parliamentary debate or delaying tactics

2

: to be uncooperative, obstructive, or evasive

transitive verb

: to refuse to comply or cooperate with

stonewaller noun

stone wall

2 of 2

noun

1

: a fence made of stones

especially : one built of rough stones without mortar to enclose a field

2

: an immovable block or obstruction (as in public affairs)

Examples of stonewall in a Sentence

Verb

They stonewalled until they could come up with a response.

They were just stonewalling for time.

They're trying to stonewall the media.

We're trying to get the information, but we're being stonewalled.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

So far, Yoon has stonewalled efforts by the CIO to interrogate him, refusing to attend questioning. —Reuters, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025

That effort was stonewalled at every turn by Republicans, who have defended Roberts’s handling of the situation. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025

Noun

Travel back in time at the Imperial Palace Surrounded by a cinematic moat and towering stone walls, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a sight to behold. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 28 Dec. 2024

Faux stone walls and archways are complemented by natural wood finishes, herringbone parquet floors, and oversized crystal chandeliers. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1880, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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