Synonyms of stymie

stymie

verb

ˈstī-mē 

as in to impede

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

the raging blizzard stymied the rescuers' attempts to find the stranded mountain climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stymie

Wrobleski finally threw a hitless fourth, working around a leadoff walk to briefly stymie the Cubs’ offensive push. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Despite billions of dollars spent, each strategy has largely fallen by the wayside, stymied by legal and political headwinds. — Philip Wang, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

Unfortunately, the big 20th-anniversary celebration likely stymied any conversations around cleaning house. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 31 July 2026

Opponents point to research that found previous work requirement policies did not lead to more people getting jobs, and many people who lost coverage were either unaware of the rules or stymied by paperwork. — Julie Wernau, NPR, 31 July 2026

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