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
• clog
• tie up
• constrain
• encumber
• shackle
• hold back
• thwart
• fetter
• handcuff
• hobble
• trammel
• frustrate
• hog-tie
• curb
• stifle
• brake
• rein
• tie
• cramp one's style
• retard
• bind
• give a hard time
• hold up
• manacle
• check
• sabotage
• retain
• derail
• balk
• choke
• barricade
• tether
• arrest
• chain
• strangle
• baffle
• 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

Thursday’s rulings effectively short-circuited Bianco’s efforts to keep the ballot probe alive. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Complex domains demand established standards that cannot be short-circuited. — Mo Husain, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

His offense carried a high success rate, with nearly 46 percent of plays gaining EPA, but four lost fumbles, including three by Baker Mayfield, short-circuited the overall production in a 33-27 defeat at Cincinnati. — Mike Sando, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

The letter’s authors fear that AI companies could short-circuit that process. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026