stymie

American  

[stahy-mee] / ˈstaɪ mi /

Sometimes stymy

verb (used with object)

stymied, stymieing

1. to hinder, block, or thwart.

   Synonyms:

   confound, stump, frustrate, perplex

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noun

1. a situation or problem presenting such difficulties as to discourage or defeat any attempt to deal with or resolve it.

2. 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.

stymie British  

/ ˈstaɪmɪ /

verb

1. to hinder or thwart

2. golf to impede with a stymie

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noun

1. 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

2. a situation of obstruction

Etymology

Origin of stymie

First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Cooper quickly filed a court challenge, arguing that the law violated the state’s constitution and stymied his ability to enact his policies.

From Salon

There could be significant upside if U.S. chip companies are able to capitalize on Chinese chip demand and navigate shifting trade tensions that have at times stymied sales, analysts at Raymond James said on Monday.

From Barron's

Meanwhile, other private portfolios seeking to go public have gotten stymied by their investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Records and interviews show hours of utter chaos at the command center for Eaton fire, with limited coordination among agencies and confusion about the path of the fire that stymied timely evacuations.

From Los Angeles Times

Hikers had spotted the body, but previous attempts to find and recover it had been stymied by heavy snow.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• choke off
• crimp
• foil
• impede
• obstruct
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart