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
It was supposed to improve information-sharing, not stymie it.
From Salon ● Mar. 5, 2026
The King and the Grand Vizier were playing a foursome against the Pro and the High Priest of Hec, and the Vizier had just laid the High Priest a dead stymie.
From The Clicking of Cuthbert by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
There is a degree of obscurantism in all this, as Mr. Kracht’s bizarre book willfully stymies understanding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
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
Redmond’s secret is mundane, but it’s one that often stymies elected officials: make a plan and stick with it.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2023
“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
"I believe it is the law that there are no stymies in a three-ball match."
From The Man Who Rose Again by Joseph Hocking
They wrote the album during a rough time personally, as they struggled to get out of a stymied label deal that cost them four years between records.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
But a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong in 2020 after huge pro-democracy protests has stymied dissent in the financial hub.
From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 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
The team’s ambitious plans to gather ice-sheet data were stymied by storms, a rudder problem, a medical emergency and the threat of ice closing in.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
That comes in handy in implementing the two principles of composition when they would otherwise be stymied by the rigid word order of English.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Tampa Bay outplayed New York at every turn, stymieing the Yankees’ lineup and frustrating their vaunted rotation with a relentless offensive attack.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
They were so afraid of running out of money that it was stymieing their ability to enjoy today.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 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
The companies also complained that bureaucratic delays are stymieing their operations.
From Reuters ● Jan. 6, 2023
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