stymied: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to semi-formal; common in written and spoken contexts like news, analysis, and business.
Quick answer
What does “stymied” mean?
to prevent someone from achieving a goal or making progress.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to prevent someone from achieving a goal or making progress; to obstruct or thwart.
The state of being prevented from proceeding or succeeding, often due to an obstacle that seems difficult to circumvent. Can describe a situation, plan, or person that is blocked or frustrated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and meaning are identical. No spelling variations. The term is understood and used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly formal or journalistic in both. May be perceived as more vivid/figurative than "blocked" or "hindered."
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both UK and US English, perhaps slightly more common in US political/business journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “stymied” in a Sentence
[sb/sth] be stymied by [sth][sb] stymie [sb/sth][sth] stymies [sth]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stymied” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The goalkeeper stymied every attempt on goal.
- Bad weather stymied the rescue operation in the Highlands.
American English
- The filibuster stymied the passage of the bill.
- The defense stymied the offense's running game.
adjective
British English
- The stymied researchers sought alternative funding.
- He felt utterly stymied by the bureaucracy.
American English
- The stymied project needed a new approach.
- She gave a frustrated sigh, feeling stymied.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The merger was stymied by regulatory hurdles."
Academic
"The research was stymied by inconsistent data sets."
Everyday
"Our holiday plans were stymied by a last-minute work crisis."
Technical
"The software update was stymied by compatibility issues with legacy systems."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stymied”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stymied”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stymied”
- Misspelling: 'stimied', 'stymyed'.
- Using as a noun (e.g., 'hit a stymie' is archaic).
- Confusing with 'stimulated'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'stymied from' (correct: 'stymied by').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for people ("she felt stymied"), plans, efforts, processes, or organizations ("the project was stymied").
'Stymied' suggests a more complete or frustrating blockage that often requires a new strategy, while 'hindered' suggests slowing down or making more difficult, but not necessarily a full stop.
Yes, though less common than the passive. E.g., "The new law could stymy development." The past participle 'stymied' is most frequent.
It is semi-formal to formal. It's common in journalism, business, and academic writing. In casual conversation, 'blocked' or 'stuck' might be more common.
to prevent someone from achieving a goal or making progress.
Stymied: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪ.mid/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪ.mid/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be at a stymie (archaic, from golf)”
- “To run into a stymie”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine trying to STYle your hair (STY) but being hindered by a MIE (my) annoying friend who keeps interrupting you. You are STY-MIED.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION / AN OBSTACLE IS A PHYSICAL BLOCK. Being stymied is like having a large rock placed in your path on a road.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'stymied' LEAST appropriate?