stonewall

[stohn-wawl]

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in stonewalling.

2. British.,  filibuster.

3. Cricket.,  (of a batsman) to play a defensive game, as by persistently blocking the ball instead of batting it for distance and runs.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal.,  to block, stall, or resist intentionally.

   lobbying efforts to stonewall passage of the legislation.

2. British.,  to obstruct (the passage of a legislative bill) in Parliament, especially by excessive or prolonged debate.

adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of stonewalling.

   a new round of stonewall tactics.

stonewall

/ ˌstəʊnˈwɔːl /

verb

1. (intr) cricket (of a batsman) to play defensively

2. to obstruct or hinder (parliamentary business)

Other Word Forms

• stonewaller noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonewall¹

v. and adj. use of noun phrase stone wall

Example Sentences

On a series in the second quarter, he limited a swing pass to Isaac Guerendo to a one-yard gain, then stonewalled the 49ers running back at the line of scrimmage on the next play.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Brownlie said "that makes it more frustrating" when her requests through the formal processes have been "stonewalled".

From BBC

"Senators who voted to stonewall U.S. ingenuity today face a simple choice: Either step up and lead or watch digital asset innovation move offshore."

From Salon

Davis said that for the last three months, State Farm has “delayed, stonewalled and denied us the help that we’re entitled to,” deploying one inexperienced adjuster after another to lowball her property value.

From Los Angeles Times

"You want to be able to nail someone down and pinpoint who it is that's basically saying, 'We're getting the planes up in the air, and just stonewall the judge,'" Prof Tsai said.

From BBC

Related Words

• rebuff