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View synonyms for filibuster

filibuster

[ fil-uh-buhs-ter ]

noun

  1. U.S. Politics.
    1. the use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority.
    2. an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.
    3. a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.
  2. an irregular military adventurer, especially one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.


verb (used without object)

  1. U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.
  2. to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes.

verb (used with object)

  1. U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

filibuster

/ ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə /

noun

  1. the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics
  2. Also calledfilibusterer a legislator who engages in such obstruction
  3. a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics
  2. intr to engage in unlawful and private military action
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

filibuster

  1. A strategy employed in the United States Senate , whereby a minority can delay a vote on proposed legislation by making long speeches or introducing irrelevant issues. A successful filibuster can force withdrawal of a bill. Filibusters can be ended only by cloture .


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Derived Forms

  • ˈfiliˌbusterism, noun
  • ˈfiliˌbusterer, noun
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Other Words From

  • fili·buster·er noun
  • fili·buster·ism noun
  • fili·buster·ous adjective
  • anti·fili·buster noun adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of filibuster1

First recorded in 1580–90; from Spanish filibustero, from Middle French flibustier, variant of fribustier; freebooter
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Word History and Origins

Origin of filibuster1

C16: from Spanish filibustero , from French flibustier probably from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate, literally: one plundering freely; see freebooter
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Example Sentences

All it takes to eliminate the filibuster, and to unlock that agenda, is 51 votes.

From Vox

Whether, in other words, to eliminate the modern filibuster, and make governance possible again.

From Vox

The filibuster for judges is long gone, and soon may disappear from legislative bills as well.

From Ozy

To get any of that done, Democrats would need to first secure a majority in the Senate and then end the filibuster.

From Vox

In terms of the confirmation process, that was up to the Senate to determine and ultimately they decided to get rid of the filibuster in that context.

When the former engaged in his drone filibuster, Cruz showed up in support; ditto for Paul when Cruz held an Obamacare filibuster.

The Democrats did not by themselves have the votes to defeat a Southern filibuster in the Senate.

Paul has altered the national conversation once before, with his filibuster on drones.

Senate Democrats failed in their effort to end a filibuster on a bill that would raise minimum wage to $10.10 on Wednesday.

Two big matters in particular: the filibuster, and presidential nominations.

In September I see the bold filibuster flying from clump to clump of the pink heather pillaged by the Bee.

I framed it all up for this filibuster trip you're on, Scraggsy, only I never did hear that they'd picked on you.

After some moments of silence he asked the captain, "Who is this man, this filibuster whom they term the Whirlwind?"

Sir Thomas Reade, the noisiest filibuster of them all, indicates his method of settling matters at Longwood.

With the exception of the buccaneer, the filibuster or the cannibal no one enters the private habitation of Blue Beard?

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