Synonyms of short-circuit

short-circuit

verb

ˈshȯrt-ˈsər-kət 

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

for decades the maverick filmmaker was short-circuited by a chronic lack of funds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of short-circuit

But to imply that the presence of racists in works of fiction makes those works of fiction racist is to short-circuit the intellect and the imagination at one fell swoop. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026

Trump and Kushner's real estate offensive, opaquely managed and crowded with fixers and still faceless figures, short-circuits with geopolitical and military ones, fuels suspicions and conspiracy theories. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

The Spurs helped their young star by using different sets than the ones the Knicks had short-circuited in the first two games, creating more spacing for their guards to get two feet into the paint. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 10 June 2026

According to a recall notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 21, the front passenger seat weight sensor in certain Honda and Acura vehicles may crack and short-circuit. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026