stymie

verb

ˈstī-mē How to pronounce stymie (audio)
Definition of stymienext
as in to impede
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the raging blizzard stymied the rescuers' attempts to find the stranded mountain climbers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stymie Alternative land routes for Ukrainian grain are also being stymied by low water levels on the Danube river, and by rail maintenance in Eastern Europe. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 Kennedy's vaccine agenda has been stymied, in part, by the White House's infighting. — Amanda Seitz, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 The 2022 shooting led Orlando police, already a prominent presence downtown, to install security checkpoints to screen for weapons, but that effort was ultimately stymied by a change to Florida law allowing gun owners to carry without a permit. — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026 Courts have stymied the DOJ’s attempts to sue for the records, citing the Constitution, which gives primary control over elections to the states. — Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stymie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stymie
  1. impede
  2. hinder
  3. hamper
  4. embarrass
  5. obstruct
Verb
  • Cornstarch can create issues like clogging sprayers, impeding root growth, or interfering with leaf function.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But Blanche played down concerns that the erosion of judicial trust could impede his efforts to advance his agenda.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of impede
Verb
  • That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.
    — Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hinder
Verb
  • As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of hamper
Verb
  • Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.
    — Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Unlike existing luxury setups, the doors open in unison to reveal a completely open cabin space without a central B-pillar obstructing entry.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The man is being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, according to Windsor Police.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruct

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Cite this Entry

“Stymie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stymie. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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