Synonyms of tied-up

tied-up 1 of 2

adjective

as in engaged

involved in often constant activity

we'll be tied-up with work for the next several days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• engaged
• busy
• diligent
• employed
• occupied
• working
• preoccupied
• active
• bustling
• industrious
• immersed
• assiduous
• laborious
• absorbed
• humming
• hopping
• operating
• concentrating
• sedulous
• functioning
• operational
• knee-deep
• running
• animated
• focused
• going
• flourishing
• lively
• buzzing
• vibrant
• engrossed
• swamped
• happening
• thriving
• operative
• functional
• alive
• energetic
• living
• hardworking
• intent
• vigorous
• astir
• tireless
• indefatigable
• untiring

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unemployed
• free
• idle
• unoccupied
• inactive
• lifeless
• dormant
• latent
• sleepy
• dead
• inert
• passive
• asleep
• quiescent
• slow
• unbusy
• dull
• inoperative
• nonoperating

tied up

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tie up

as in hampered

to create difficulty for the work or activity of

an accident is tying up traffic at 5th and Broadway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hampered
• impeded
• hindered
• embarrassed
• interfered (with)
• obstructed
• held back
• handicapped
• inhibited
• blocked
• delayed
• cramped
• stymied
• encumbered
• shackled
• handcuffed
• disrupted
• trammeled
• cramped one's style
• clogged
• held up
• hobbled
• short-circuited
• tied
• restrained
• manacled
• fettered
• gave a hard time
• constrained
• bound
• hog-tied
• thwarted
• bogged (down)
• frustrated
• checked
• curbed
• retained
• retarded
• stifled
• reined
• tethered
• balked
• arrested
• braked
• confined
• chained
• leashed
• hemmed (in)
• choked
• strangled
• barricaded
• baffled
• hedged (in)
• haltered
• blockaded
• foiled
• mired
• derailed
• roadblocked
• sabotaged
• smothered
• stumped
• suffocated
• repressed
• muzzled
• suppressed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• assisted
• helped
• aided
• facilitated
• opened
• released
• cleared
• made way
• freed
• liberated
• untied
• unplugged
• loosened
• encouraged
• promoted
• smoothed
• unstopped
• unclogged
• furthered

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tied-up

Verb

Because of the volatile season, most of the country's firefighters and equipment have been tied up for months, fighting major wildfires or positioned near imminent fire threats, according to the fire center. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

The woman, 37, was found half naked with bruises on her body and tied up with cables. — Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Her long hair was tied up into a sleek bun, while her makeup included a gradient nude lip. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026

But dogs are everywhere — running loose, tied up, peering out of tents that line the sidewalk. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

My first memory of Stevie is really tied up in my first memory of Fleetwood Mac. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Segal argues that casting independent theatrical films has become harder than ever as actors with international market value are tied up for long stretches on films and series for studios and streaming services. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

My life was tied up in electric razor-wire fences and smothered in concrete. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

In another, a man drips wax from a burning candle onto the hands of a boy who has been tied up. — Jon Christian, Futurism, 9 Sep. 2026