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

Later in the drive, Jefferson stonewalled a screen to receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, driving through the block of tight end Charlie Woerner. —Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024

The Russian and Chinese delegations have frequently teamed up at the Security Council to stonewall or block U.S. initiatives. —Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024

Noun

The home is set on a two-acre lot surrounded by a seven-foot-high creamy coral stone wall punctuated by a sculptural steel gate that opens to a 200-foot-long cobblestone driveway flanked by swaying palms and pristine lawns. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 9 Dec. 2024

With its gray stone walls and verdant surroundings reminiscent of an ancient thermae, the spa has five treatment rooms offering facials, massages, body treatments, and nail care. —Linda Konde, Travel + Leisure, 5 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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