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Synonyms

stonewalling

American  
[stohn-waw-ling] / ˈstoʊnˌwɔ lɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of stalling, evading, or filibustering, especially to avoid revealing politically embarrassing information.

Etymology

Origin of stonewalling

First recorded in 1875–80; stonewall + -ing 1

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.

Strike action is not currently a plausible option, but while the Slams feel they are listening and engaging, the players think they are stonewalling - and will consider their next move after the Australian Open.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

But Johnson is really being tied up in knots for his stonewalling over the Jeffrey Epstein files.

From Salon • Oct. 12, 2025

The incident was unexpected — shocking, even — because for at least two decades, Belichick was the master of stonewalling reporters, steering interviews and giving snarky responses to questions he didn’t appreciate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2025

While Japan’s conservative government is seen stonewalling diversity, recent surveys show a majority of Japanese back legalizing same-sex marriage.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

He has found that he can find out much of what he needs to know just by focusing on what he calls the Four Horsemen: defensiveness, stonewalling, criticism, and contempt.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.