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
• interfere (with)
• delay
• restrain
• block
• thwart
• encumber
• hobble
• constrain
• cramp
• clog
• frustrate
• tie up
• handcuff
• hold back
• short-circuit
• shackle
• fetter
• trammel
• stifle
• hog-tie
• curb
• tie
• give a hard time
• rein
• bind
• retard
• manacle
• balk
• cramp one's style
• retain
• hold up
• check
• strangle
• derail
• brake
• sabotage
• choke
• arrest
• confine
• 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

That capped a five-man bullpen relay that stymied a Padres offense that had seemed oddly comfortable against Misiorowski. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

In the Atlantic, that means there is more wind shear and air that pushes downward, both of which stymie cyclone development. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

The sweeping Senate proposal unveiled Wednesday afternoon by leaders of key energy and environmental committees would rewrite project review rules and speed up legal challenges that consistently stymie large energy and transportation projects. — Evan Halper, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

But federal involvement last winter stymied plans to release more wolves to boost the population. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!