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

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

Collapse adds to debate over Kennedy Center renovations The collapse comes as the Kennedy Center board's plan to temporarily close the facility for a two-year renovation remains tied up in federal court. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

More than 60% of Korean household net worth is tied up in non-financial assets like real estate, the highest share among the advanced economies Goldman studied. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

After all, their eventual conversation about kids with Samir’s girlfriend takes place while Issa is peacefully tied up in a chair. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

By 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, Europe was deeply dependent for its security on the United States, which was already tied up in the Middle East and increasingly focused on China’s rising military power. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026