stymie

verb

sty·​mie ˈstī-mē 

stymied; stymieing

transitive verb

: to present an obstacle to : stand in the way of

stymied by red tape

Did you know?

Golf was being played in Scotland as early as the 15th century, but it wasn't until the 19th century that the sport really caught on in England and North America. It was also in the 19th century that the word stymie entered English as a noun referring to a golfing situation in which one player's ball lies between another ball and the hole on the putting green, thereby blocking the line of play. Later, stymie came to be used as a verb meaning "to bring into the position of, or impede by, a stymie." By the early 20th century, the verb was being applied in similarly vexing non-golf contexts.

Synonyms

• clog
• cramp
• embarrass
• encumber
• fetter
• hamper
• handcuff
• handicap
• hinder
• hobble
• hog-tie
• hold back
• hold up
• impede
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• manacle
• obstruct
• shackle
• short-circuit
• tie up
• trammel

Examples of stymie in a Sentence

Progress on the project has been stymied by lack of money.

the raging blizzard stymied the rescuers' attempts to find the stranded mountain climbers

Recent Examples on the Web

In Marshon Lattimore’s debut, Washington’s defense stymied the New Orleans attack in all ways possible, helping to create an overall dominant time-of-possession advantage. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

The deferral actually stymied a potential trade to the Phillies (where he was ultimately traded) for Tug McGraw (among others) in 1979. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

The rapper’s ongoing legal issues have yet to stymie his musical success, as he’s released multiple albums that have debuted atop Billboard 200 albums chart over the past several years. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Dec. 2024

The country's efforts could be stymied if Trump's plans for mass deportations result in large numbers of Mexicans and others are sent south of the border, overwhelming Mexico's resources. —Marina E. Franco (noticias Telemundo For Axios), Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Scots stimie, stymie to obstruct a golf shot by interposition of the opponent's ball

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

stymie

verb

sty·​mie ˈstī-mē 

stymied; stymieing

: to present an obstacle to : stand in the way of

an unexpected snowstorm stymied travelers' plans