stymie
Americanverb (used with object)
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stymies,
present (3rd person singular)
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stymied,
past participle, past
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stymieing
present participle
noun
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a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.
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Golf. (on a putting green) an instance of a ball's lying on a direct line between the cup and the ball of an opponent about to putt.
verb
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to hinder or thwart
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golf to impede with a stymie
noun
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golf (formerly) a situation on the green in which an opponent's ball is blocking the line between the hole and the ball about to be played: an obstructing ball may now be lifted and replaced by a marker
-
a situation of obstruction
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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stymiesimple
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stymiessimple
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have stymiedperfect
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has stymiedperfect
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am stymieingprogressive
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are stymieingprogressive
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is stymieingprogressive
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have been stymieingperfect progressive
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has been stymieingperfect progressive
Past
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stymiedsimple
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had stymiedperfect
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was stymieingprogressive
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were stymieingprogressive
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had been stymieingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of stymie
First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain
Explanation
The verb stymie means "to obstruct or hinder." Constantly texting with your friends will stymie your effort to finish your homework. Stymie was first used on the golf course in Scotland, where it referred to an opponent's ball blocking your own ball’s path to the cup. From there a verb sense developed, until finally stymie came to mean blocking with any obstacle, not just a golf ball.
Vocabulary lists containing stymie
Hatchet
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But would they be able to if there is validity in their current claim that plenty of institutions are trying to stymie them?
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
Wrobleski finally threw a hitless fourth, working around a leadoff walk to briefly stymie the Cubs’ offensive push.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Setting emotions aside, the timing of childbirth for older parents can stymie their earning power.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
Any slowdown in data center construction and completion would stymie a build-out that AI players desperately need.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
Sawyer putted dead and laid Evans a dead stymie.
From News Writing The Gathering , Handling and Writing of News Stories by M. Lyle (Matthew Lyle) Spencer
Europe’s lack of one big customer also stymies defense-tech newcomers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
She said: “This is a disappointing and flawed approach that stymies crucial efforts to free Jimmy Lai and fundamentally undermines the government’s official position that he must be released.”
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2024
“We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus at the council.”
From Washington Times ● Sep. 21, 2023
"Include me in that category, if it's unnecessary and inappropriate regulation that stymies innovation and technology advancements," Bucshon said.
From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2023
We arranged nothing about stymies before we started, so stymies must stand.
From "Pip" A Romance of Youth by Ian Hay
But the change has been stymied by an existing legal challenge, leaving the recommendation on the books this season.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
One researcher investigating AI’s effects on children has expressed concerns of “cognitive stunting” — critical thinking skills prohibited from developing, just as physical growth can be stymied by malnutrition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
Efforts to secure a devolution deal in Cornwall have been stymied by the county's reluctance to form a group with Devon but also to having a mayor.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
Interviews with victims in the hospital were brief and stymied by officials who repeatedly bounced AFP journalists between different offices to seek approval.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
For the previous two years, her visits had been stymied by local magistrates and by the repeated bannings that prevented her from traveling.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
They were so afraid of running out of money that it was stymieing their ability to enjoy today.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Last month, the White House issued an executive order that aims to challenge “onerous” state laws deemed as stymieing AI innovation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 23, 2026
Second, at all levels of government, we must loosen regulations that are stymieing the construction and preservation of affordable homes.
From Slate ● Feb. 17, 2025
District Judge Dana Sabraw approved a settlement between the American Civil Liberties Union and the federal government blocking for eight years the federal government from separating families for purposes of stymieing immigration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2024
It is largely good news for the government, which has introduced new policies to fill job gaps that businesses say were stymieing growth, although any significant rise in house prices will play badly for voters.
From Reuters ● May 5, 2023
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
