stymies

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 run around 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.

Europe’s lack of one big customer also stymies defense-tech newcomers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

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 Hocking, Joseph