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

Other wars, in Afghanistan and now Iran, have stymied the hopes of Central Asian countries to build southward transport routes that would expand their trading opportunities to the Indian Ocean and beyond. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026

South Africa’s energy reforms have attracted billions of dollars in committed private capital, helping to produce enough power for Eskom to end rolling power cuts that have stymied growth in Africa’s largest economy. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026

In an effort to stymie the foul smell, part of the facility is wrapped in plastic sheeting while large fans spray odor-control mist around the warehouse. — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

But the milestone already has experts thinking about the policy guardrails—or rather, the distinct lack of them—that could stymie the creation of a virus that could threaten humanity. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

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