as in mute
unable to speak because you are nervous or shy
She became tongue-tied whenever he was around. He gets tongue-tied in front of crowds.
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongue-tied
Adjective
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Bluesky users also appreciated the moderation on the platform and having the ability to block or mute people as a means of disengaging from more aggressive, unpleasant conversations.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
27 Aug. 2025 -
Finally, the firmware will add UI and Routing Enhancements, including new grey pre-mute meters and separate mixers for HDMI and NDI outputs.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC News,
10 Aug. 2023
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Because his work, as is often the case, leaves us almost speechless.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Then there’s an incomprehensible scene in which Stuhlbarg’s Frederik storms in and out of the kitchen angrily, having turned his music up to an unlistenable volume, while Alma and Maggie—a guest in their home that evening—try to have a serious conversation.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
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The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Hank’s friends – conspiracy theorist Dale, military barber Bill, and cool but inarticulate Boomhauer, along with Peggy’s friends Minh and meteorologist Nancy, and Bobby’s friend Connie helped the Hills navigate a changing world.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
12 Aug. 2025
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The root conveys a sense of emitting a deep, inarticulate sound of distress.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For all the talk of secondary enforcement, the application has been selective, incoherent, and easily dismissed.—
Brett Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The justifications for the slaughter which started out so white hot after October 7th have cooled now, become more immaterial and incoherent.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez appears destined for free agency as contract talks are reportedly completely silent.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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As foreign dignitaries descend in Beijing this week, the conflicting narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are a reminder that eight decades after Japan's surrender, the guns may be silent, but the battle over the legacy of the war is far from over.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
2 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tongue-tied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongue-tied. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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