stymie

sty·mie

verb \ˈstī-mē\

sty·miedsty·mie·ing

Definition of STYMIE

transitive verb

: to present an obstacle to : stand in the way of <stymied by red tape>

Examples of STYMIE

1. Progress on the project has been stymied by lack of money.
2. <the raging blizzard stymied the rescuers' attempts to find the stranded mountain climbers>

Origin of STYMIE

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

First Known Use: 1902

Related to STYMIE

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

Antonyms: aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words: balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms: clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

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Rhymes with STYMIE

grimy, limey, limy, rimy, slimy