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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Republicans have pleaded for five members of the Democratic caucus to join the three who have already crossed party lines to back a reopening in recent weeks, but have seen their calls stonewalled as the remaining 44 Democrats have remained united. Al Weaver, The Hill, 13 Oct. 2025 Bondi, during that appearance, stonewalled questions from Democratic senators and insulted them. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
Rooms have exposed stone walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor showers. Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025 There arc few, if any, clearings, old apple trees, and old stone walls. Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stonewall

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 17 Oct. 2025.

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