stonewall

1 of 2

verb

stone·​wall ˈstōn-ˌwȯl How to pronounce stonewall (audio)
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
According to Barnett, management stonewalled on his report. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 As disturbing details about their relationship emerge, the Jordans hire a lawyer and start stonewalling. Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024 But on Capitol Hill, aides to the two lawmakers, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas and Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, are accusing the administration of stonewalling critical questions on the size of the force. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, Crump, flanked by members of Malcolm X’s family, said requests to New York and federal agencies for surveillance and other records related to the case have repeatedly been stonewalled. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 The impeachment resolution comes as the Biden administration is getting stonewalled by House Republicans in its attempts to strike a bipartisan border deal. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 29 Jan. 2024 Navarro would be the second Trump aide to be sentenced for stonewalling Congress’s Jan. 6 investigation, after Bannon received four months behind bars, a punishment that has been put on hold pending appeal. Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 25 Jan. 2024 The offensive line was stonewalled at times, and the best blocking came on the trick-play touchdown to McCaffrey, who received lane-clearing blocks from Spencer Burford, Aaron Banks, Colton McKivitz and Jake Brendel – none of whom were illegally downfield. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2024 The president and his allies accuse GOP lawmakers of stonewalling bipartisan efforts. USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024
Noun
Shelton's picture showed faux stone walls and stained glass as part of the room's decor. Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 The 19th-century estate in Wales sprawls over 17 pastoral acres and incorporates stone walls that date to the 14th and 15th centuries. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024 The spa’s indoor grotto pool, for example, has stone walls illuminated by glowing candles, which gives the space a secluded cave-like feel. Sarah Gish, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Ferrari also incorporated the existing historic stone wall into the design — the remnants of a garage from the 1920s. Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 The stone wall included a lightning rod, which protected the mill from lightning. Millstones and other tools were unearthed from the lower part of the ruins, researchers said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 In photos, her intact remains can be seen lying supine up against a stone wall. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2024 Its triangle shape resembles New York City’s Flatiron Building; two sides are eight-meter-high glass windows; its stone wall is sourced from India’s Rajasthan state. Varsha Bansal, Fortune Asia, 14 Dec. 2023 Topped with billowing wisteria, the original stone walls and new rafter pergola offer a rustic connection to the landscape. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stonewall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stonewall was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Stonewall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stonewall. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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