SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
stymie
verb
To block progress or leave someone unable to proceed.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Block progress
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topStymie leaves an effort unable to proceed. Baffle emphasizes confusion, while stall can mean delay rather than complete blockage.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See stymie in use
An unreadable map could stymie the entire expedition.
Missing information about an unfinished order could stymie the next shift, leaving its members unable to decide which pages still needed printing.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license