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Filibustered: meaning, definitions and examples

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filibustered

 

[ ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstərd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

political strategy

To filibuster means to use prolonged speechmaking or other tactics to delay or obstruct legislative action, especially in the context of a parliamentary procedure. This tactic can be employed by a member of the legislature to block a vote on a proposal, bill, or nomination. Filibustering can be seen as a way to draw attention to issues or to prevent unpopular legislation from passing. This strategy is often employed in the U.S. Senate, where a senator can speak for an extended period to delay proceedings.

Synonyms

delay, interrupt, obstruct, stall

Examples of usage

  • The senator filibustered for hours to block the vote on the controversial bill.
  • They plan to filibuster the nomination to delay the confirmation process.
  • In an attempt to filibuster, she read from a children's book.
  • The opposition party resorted to filibustering to prevent legislation.

Translations

Translations of the word "filibustered" in other languages:

🇵🇹 obstruído

🇮🇳 फिलिबस्टर किया गया

🇩🇪 filibustiert

🇮🇩 filibuster

🇺🇦 фilibustered

🇵🇱 filibustrowany

🇯🇵 フィリバスターされた

🇫🇷 filibusté

🇪🇸 filibustear

🇹🇷 filibuster

🇰🇷 필리버스터됨

🇸🇦 تم تعطيله

🇨🇿 filibustrováno

🇸🇰 filibustrované

🇨🇳 阻挠

🇸🇮 filibuster

🇮🇸 filibuster

🇰🇿 филибустер

🇬🇪 ფილიბასტერი

🇦🇿 filibuster

🇲🇽 filibustear

Word origin

The term 'filibuster' dates back to the mid-19th century, derived from the Dutch word 'vrijbuiter,' which means 'pirate' or 'freebooter.' Initially, it referred to lawless adventurers who participated in unauthorized military expeditions in Latin America during the 1850s. The term evolved in its usage and began to refer to the legislative tactic of obstructing legislative action by making long speeches or engaging in prolonged debate. The first notable filibuster in the U.S. Senate was conducted by Senator J. A. Bayard of Delaware in 1837. Over time, it became a recognized parliamentary procedure, particularly in the context of the U.S., where it has played a significant role in shaping legislative outcomes.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,428, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.