Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who stonewalls: A stonewaller is someone who deliberately delays, obstructs, or refuses to answer questions or cooperate, often by employing evasive tactics such as giving lengthy, irrelevant speeches.

Usage

• The term "stonewaller" is used to describe a person, typically in a formal, political, or investigative context, who is uncooperative and intentionally impedes progress or the flow of information.
• It is a derivative of the verb "to stonewall."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The committee grew frustrated with the witness, who was a notorious stonewaller.
  • During the negotiation, he acted as a stonewaller, refusing to address any of the key points directly.

Advanced Usage

• Political/Procedural Context: Often used to describe politicians, officials, or witnesses who use procedural tactics to avoid giving straight answers.
  • The senator was accused of being a stonewaller, filibustering to prevent the bill from coming to a vote.

Variants and Related Words

• Stonewall (verb): To delay or obstruct by refusing to answer questions or cooperate.
  • The administration continued to stonewall the investigation.
• Stonewalling (noun): The act or practice of stonewalling.
  • The stonewalling by the company's lawyers prolonged the case for years.

Synonyms

• Obstructor: One who hinders or blocks progress.
• Delayer: One who causes a postponement or slowdown.
• Filibusterer (specific to legislative contexts): A legislator who gives long speeches to delay proceedings.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• To give someone the runaround: To evade someone's questions or requests. (This describes similar evasive behavior but is less formal than "stonewalling.")
  • Instead of a clear answer, the customer service agent gave me the runaround.

Noun

1. one who stonewalls or refuses to answer or cooperate; someone who delays by lengthy speeches etc.