Definition

Noun: 1. The act of stalling or delaying, especially by refusing to answer questions or cooperate: Stonewalling is a tactic of non-cooperation, often used to obstruct progress, avoid giving information, or wear down an opponent by being unresponsive.

Usage

Stonewalling is typically used in formal or political contexts to describe obstructive behavior. It implies a deliberate, passive-aggressive strategy rather than a simple delay.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The committee accused the witness of stonewalling by giving vague and evasive answers.
  • The company's stonewalling during the investigation only increased public suspicion.
  • Political stonewalling has prevented the bill from coming to a vote for months.

Advanced Usage

• As a gerund/noun: The word often functions as a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing used as a noun), describing the ongoing action or strategy itself.
  • His persistent stonewalling frustrated the negotiators.

Variants and Related Words

• Stonewall (verb): To delay or obstruct by refusing to answer questions or cooperate.
  • The official chose to stonewall the reporters' inquiries.

Synonyms

• Obstruction: The action of obstructing or the state of being obstructed.
• Stalling: Employing delaying tactics.
• Filibustering (in a legislative context): Obstructing progress in a legislative assembly by making long speeches.

Antonyms

• Cooperation: The process of working together to the same end.
• Compliance: The action or fact of complying with a wish or command.
• Transparency: Operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To hit a brick wall: To be completely stopped by an obstacle or refusal, often after attempting to make progress. This idiom conveys a similar sense of encountering an immovable, uncooperative barrier.
  • Every time we ask for the data, we hit a brick wall.

Noun

1. stalling or delaying especially by refusing to answer questions or cooperate