Definitions

tied up

VERB

hamper, hinder

Synonyms

WEAK

bind clog confine curb delay entrammel fetter hog-tie hold leash limit lock up obstruct restrain restrict shackle stop tie one's hands trammel

Antonyms

WEAK

aid assist encourage free help

VERB

hamper

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bind clog lock up

WEAK

confine curb delay entrammel fetter hinder hog-tie hold leash limit obstruct restrain restrict shackle stop trammel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free

tied-up

ADJECTIVE

busy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

active unavailable working

STRONG

buried employed engaged engrossed hustling occupied overloaded persevering slaving snowed swamped

WEAK

already taken assiduous at it diligent having a full plate having enough on one's plate having fish to fry having many irons in the fire in a meeting in conference in someone else's possession in the field in the laboratory industrious on assignment on duty on the go up to one's ears with a customer

Antonyms

STRONGEST

idle

STRONG

inactive unoccupied

WEAK

lazy quiet unbusy unemployed unengaged

ADJECTIVE

engaged

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absorbed committed employed engrossed interested involved occupied preoccupied working

STRONG

doing immersed performing practicing pursuing signed

WEAK

at work connected with dealing in deep in place in use intent rapt unavailable wrapped-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bored disinterested idle inactive uninterested unoccupied

WEAK

available disengaged inoperable not working uninvolved

ADJECTIVE

engrossed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absorbed captivated consumed engaged enthralled submerged

STRONG

bugged busy fascinated gone gripped hooked immersed intrigued lost monopolized occupied riveted

WEAK

all wound up assiduous caught up caught up in deep diligent fiend for head over heels heavily into hung up industrious intent into rapt really into sedulous taken up with turned on up to here in wrapped-up

Antonyms

STRONG

existing idle inactive

WEAK

bored disenthralled disinterested ignoring inattentive oblivious uncaring uninterested unoccupied

ADJECTIVE

finished

Synonyms

STRONGEST

closed concluded decided ended full realized resolved satisfied settled stopped

STRONG

accomplished achieved ceased compassed consummated discharged dispatched effected effectuated elaborated executed finalized fulfilled lapsed made perfected performed shut terminated

WEAK

brought about come to an end disposed of done for done with entire final in the past over over and done put into effect sewn-up through worked out wound-up wrapped-up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

incomplete

WEAK

unfinished

ADJECTIVE

immersed

Synonyms

STRONG

absorbed buried busy consumed engaged engrossed mesmerized occupied preoccupied spellbound

WEAK

bound-up deep eat, sleep, and breathe intent into rapt taken up turned on wrapped-up

Antonyms

STRONG

bored disinterested idle inactive uninterested unoccupied

WEAK

ignorant neglectful negligent

ADJECTIVE

obsessed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

captivated dominated haunted preoccupied troubled

STRONG

bedeviled beset bewitched controlled dogged engrossed fixated gripped harassed held hooked infatuated overpowered plagued possessed prepossessed seized tormented

WEAK

eat, sleep, and breathe fiendish have on the brain hung up on immersed in into really into taken over turned on up to here in wound up with wrapped up in

Antonyms

STRONG

disenchanted

WEAK

indifferent unconcerned

ADJECTIVE

occupied

Synonyms

STRONGEST

employed engaged

STRONG

engrossed working

WEAK

active clocked up head over heels too much on plate

Antonyms

STRONG

unoccupied

WEAK

empty free idle inactive not busy uninhabited vacant

ADJECTIVE

Synonyms

STRONGEST

akin analogous associated complementary linked pertinent relevant similar

STRONG

affiliated allied correlated enmeshed interconnected interrelated intertwined interwoven joint like parallel

WEAK

agnate alike cognate concomitant connate connatural consanguine convertible correspondent dependent fraternal germane in the same category in touch with incident interchangeable interdependent knit together mutual of that ilk reciprocal

Antonyms

STRONGEST

alien dissimilar inappropriate irrelevant unalike unlike unrelated unsuitable

STRONG

different separate

WEAK

disassociated disconnected foreign

ADJECTIVE

tight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

airtight fast short uncomfortable

WEAK

blind blocked bolted choking clumped cramping crushing cutting fastened firm fixed hermetic hermetically sealed impenetrable impermeable impervious locked nailed obstructed padlocked pinching plugged proof secure shrunken shut skintight slammed smothering snapped sound stopped up tied watertight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

loose

WEAK

open slack unsealed

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.

That could be a big plus, considering how many investors are worried about an AI bubble or having too much money tied up in Magnificent Seven tech stocks.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

But public communications attorney Andrew Jay Schwartzman told The Times last month that the bar for denying a renewal is high and any effort would be tied up in court on constitutional grounds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Increases in the major indices are good news for investors, but also a boost to those with pension pots tied up in stocks, such as 401ks.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Many countries’ commercial, trade, energy and economic futures are tied up in the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Everyone looked to be fine, not tied up or roughed up.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

tied up

Example Sentences

Related Words