stymie

[stahy-mee] / ˈstaɪ mi /

VERB

frustrate, hinder

Synonyms

STRONGEST

choke off crimp foil impede obstruct stall stonewall thwart

STRONG

balk block confound corner crab cramp defeat mystify nonplus pigeonhole prevent puzzle shelve snooker stump

WEAK

cramp one's style cut off dead-end give the runaround hang fire hang-up hold off hold up put on back burner put on hold throw a monkey wrench into

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abet advance aid assist forward help support

STRONG

allow clarify clear up enlighten explain explicate let go release

WEAK

encourage

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.

Another issue with the potential to stymie talks from the beginning is the crucial oil shipping passage the Strait of Hormuz.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

It was supposed to improve information-sharing, not stymie it.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026

And they understand behavioral finance and the psychological biases that can cloud your judgment and stymie your saving, spending and investing habits.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026

And while Nike posted a surprise sales increase in its latest quarter, the company warned that weakness in China may stymie some turnaround progress going forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

To stymie is human; to lift up divine.

From More Toasts by Mosher, Marion Dix

Vocabulary lists containing stymie

Hatchet

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This Week in Words: February 16 - 22, 2019

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An Excerpt from "The Underground Railroad" by Colson Whitehead

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