Library / English Dictionary

STYMIE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected form: stymying   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A thwarting and distressing situation

Synonyms:

stymie; stymy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("stymie" is a kind of...):

obstacle; obstruction (something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted)

Derivation:

stymie (hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A situation in golf where an opponent's ball blocks the line between your ball and the hole

Synonyms:

stymie; stymy

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("stymie" is a kind of...):

position; situation (a condition or position in which you find yourself)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

Example:

His brother blocked him at every turn

Synonyms:

block; blockade; embarrass; hinder; obstruct; stymie; stymy

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "stymie" is one way to...):

forbid; foreclose; forestall; preclude; prevent (keep from happening or arising; make impossible)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "stymie"):

stonewall (obstruct or hinder any discussion)

filibuster (obstruct deliberately by delaying)

check (block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey)

hang (prevent from reaching a verdict, of a jury)

bottleneck (slow down or impede by creating an obstruction)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

stymie (a thwarting and distressing situation)

Credits