as in delaying
to stop the progress or spread of (something)
efforts to stem the dramatic decline of an endangered species
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Recent Examples of stemming
McKinley County's poor infrastructure reflects its disproportionately high poverty rate — triple the national average — stemming in part from the closings of mines, power plants and oil refineries.
—
Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The sport of canyoneering involves rappelling, down-climbing, wading, and stemming, or stretching your arms and legs across the narrowest section of a canyon and using pressure to slowly progress.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Wilcox’s defenses have multiple fronts using four and three down linemen, stemming on the same play and disguised coverages.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
The actress has become known for her partnership with director Sofia Coppola stemming all the way back to her 1999 film The Virgin Suicides, and has gone on to work with the famous director on other cult fave projects including Marie Antoinette and 2017’s The Beguiled.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 9 Sep. 2025
Even though Josh and Arteta have a good relationship, stemming back to when Arteta played for the club, Lewis is the conduit between the club and ownership.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The news was certainly a shock to many, with concerns stemming mostly from the unknown.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
And Joan and Nancy’s strained relationship — stemming back to their tumultuous childhoods with their abusive father — eventually leads Joan to seek employment elsewhere.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
Setting the right level of immigration might, however, prove arbitrary and difficult, not to mention insufficient for stemming flows, which may persist so long as the EU keeps expanding and life seems better in the west than in the east.
—Tej Parikh, Foreign Affairs, 30 Mar. 2017
Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The sport of canyoneering involves rappelling, down-climbing, wading, and stemming, or stretching your arms and legs across the narrowest section of a canyon and using pressure to slowly progress.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Wilcox’s defenses have multiple fronts using four and three down linemen, stemming on the same play and disguised coverages.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025
The actress has become known for her partnership with director Sofia Coppola stemming all the way back to her 1999 film The Virgin Suicides, and has gone on to work with the famous director on other cult fave projects including Marie Antoinette and 2017’s The Beguiled.
—Katherine Singh, Refinery29, 9 Sep. 2025
Even though Josh and Arteta have a good relationship, stemming back to when Arteta played for the club, Lewis is the conduit between the club and ownership.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The news was certainly a shock to many, with concerns stemming mostly from the unknown.
—Dana Reboe, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
And Joan and Nancy’s strained relationship — stemming back to their tumultuous childhoods with their abusive father — eventually leads Joan to seek employment elsewhere.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024
Setting the right level of immigration might, however, prove arbitrary and difficult, not to mention insufficient for stemming flows, which may persist so long as the EU keeps expanding and life seems better in the west than in the east.
—Tej Parikh, Foreign Affairs, 30 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stemming
Verb
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These cuts mean reducing supply budgets in most departments, delaying the purchase of new math curriculum and Chromebooks, freezing hiring for nonclassroom positions and canceling contract agreements that will not disrupt operations.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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In such cases, delaying treatment may worsen the condition.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The cold causes bacteria to go dormant, temporarily halting their growth.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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Advocates and beneficiaries say halting the food aid would force people to choose between buying groceries and paying other bills.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Federal judge Julia Kobick in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction stopping the Administration from enforcing the policy against Orr and six other individual plaintiffs in April.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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Now, a passenger aircraft that can complete make the journey without stopping is in the final stages of construction, Qantas announced on Friday, releasing first images of the plane as it is assembled.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After losing star tight end Tucker Kraft , who led the team with 489 yards receiving and six touchdowns, to a season-ending ACL injury, Green Bay was on the hunt to find a suitable replacement.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Alexander suffered a season-ending torn PCL in his right knee in 2024.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Nguyen allegedly charged toward a Homeland Security Investigations officer during a street fight, scraping the officer’s knees, though prosecutors dropped the federal case before indictment after concluding the evidence was too weak to proceed.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Nov. 2025
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The team finished 10-22 overall last season, concluding the season with six consecutive losses.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate posted video to social media that appears to depict events described in a federal indictment accusing her of impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.—
Michael Ruiz , Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
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What To Know The 600 nurses, who are represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU), claim the management of their hospital is impeding their ability to retain experienced healthcare workers.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ingredient works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and causing muscles to relax.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Video shared by police shows a mix of motorcycles, scooters and ATVs blocking an intersection.—
Adam Sabes , Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Relieve Compaction Excessive traffic on a lawn causes the soil particles in the turf’s root zone to press more closely together, hindering access to water, nutrients, and oxygen.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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Can what’s hindering the Chargers’ defense be fixed in only a matter of days?—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stemming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stemming. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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