Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thwarting and distressing situation: A difficult or frustrating circumstance that obstructs progress.
   • A situation in golf where an opponent's ball blocks the line between your ball and the hole: A specific obstruction in the game of golf.

2. Verb:

   • To hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of something: To act as an obstacle or to block someone's efforts.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The negotiations hit a stymy when neither side would compromise.
  • He faced a stymy on the green when his opponent's ball was directly in his path.

• Verb:

  • The new regulations could stymy the development of small businesses.
  • She felt stymied by the lack of clear instructions.

Advanced Usage

• "to be stymied by": to be prevented from making progress by a particular obstacle.
  • The research team was stymied by a lack of funding.
• Used often in passive voice ("was stymied") to describe a state of being blocked.

Variants and Related Words

• Stymie (alternative spelling): The more common modern spelling for both noun and verb forms.
• Stymied (adj): Describing the state of being obstructed.
  • The stymied project needed a new approach.

Synonyms

• Noun: Obstacle, impediment, blockage, deadlock.
• Verb: Thwart, obstruct, hinder, block, frustrate.

Related Phrases

• To put a stymy on: (Less common) To create an obstruction.
  • The sudden weather change put a stymy on our outdoor plans.

Noun

1. a thwarting and distressing situation
2. a situation in golf where an opponent's ball blocks the line between your ball and the hole

Verb

1. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
   • His brother blocked him at every turn