Synonyms of stymie

stymie

verb

ˈstī-mē 

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• impede
• hinder
• hamper
• embarrass
• obstruct
• inhibit
• handicap
• disrupt
• delay
• restrain
• interfere (with)
• block
• thwart
• encumber
• hobble
• constrain
• cramp
• frustrate
• clog
• tie up
• handcuff
• hold back
• short-circuit
• shackle
• fetter
• stifle
• trammel
• hog-tie
• curb
• tie
• give a hard time
• rein
• bind
• retard
• manacle
• balk
• retain
• cramp one's style
• hold up
• strangle
• check
• derail
• brake
• sabotage
• choke
• confine
• arrest
• baffle
• smother
• tether
• barricade
• bog (down)
• blockade
• suffocate
• chain
• repress
• leash
• foil
• roadblock
• suppress
• mire
• stump
• muzzle
• halter
• hem (in)
• hedge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• facilitate
• assist
• aid
• open
• clear
• liberate
• make way
• encourage
• promote
• release
• free
• loosen
• unclog
• unplug
• unstop
• smooth
• further
• untie

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stymie

The Oregon attorney general, Dan Rayfield, asked a court last week to pause the merger for 60 days, arguing that Paramount had stymied his investigation by failing to respond to document requests. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 July 2026

The congresswoman had also been making regular visits to Camp East Montana, despite the agency’s best efforts to stymie her. — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

The billionaire developer in 2025 filed a lawsuit looking to block Hackman Capital from renovating TV City, alleging a state environmental law long-weaponized to stymie building efforts that require city approval. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Cape Verde qualified for the first time in its history and stymied Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 7 July 2026

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