Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Stymie Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿšง
Add to dictionary

stymie

[หˆstaษชmi ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

hinder progress

To stymie means to prevent someone from making progress or to hinder an activity from being completed. This term is often used in contexts involving obstacles that block or impede action.

Synonyms

block, hinder, impede, obstruct.

Examples of usage

  • The unexpected rainstorm stymied our plans for a picnic.
  • Budget cuts could stymie the development of new technologies.
  • Her lack of experience stymied her chances for promotion.
Context #2 | Noun

obstacle

Stymie as a noun refers to a situation or obstacle that thwart or frustrates an intended action or purpose. It describes a state of being unable to accomplish something due to certain challenges.

Synonyms

barrier, impasse, obstruction, setback.

Examples of usage

  • The new regulations created a stymie for many businesses.
  • He faced a stymie in his research due to funding issues.
  • The team's inability to secure a sponsor was a significant stymie to their goals.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In movies and television, characters often face stymies, such as legal blocks or personal hurdles, to create tension and drama.
  • The track of urban life often includes moments where individuals feel stymied by bureaucracy, a common theme in satirical media.
  • Famous quotes in cinema sometimes use the term to highlight frustration, like when a goal is just out of reach.

Psychology

  • Feeling stymied can lead to stress and frustration, impacting mental health and decision-making.
  • The term can describe a psychological block where a person struggles to find a solution, often linked to performance anxiety.
  • Cognitive strategies are sometimes used to overcome feelings of being stymied, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.

Literature

  • In novels, protagonists often face stymies that represent internal conflicts, illustrating character development.
  • This word has been used to depict complex interpersonal relationships, where misunderstandings create obstacles.
  • Classic literature often features themes of stymieing fate or societal expectations, showcasing the struggle between ambition and barriers.

Science

  • In environmental science, regulations can stymie innovation when overly restrictive guidelines are placed on research.
  • Stymieing can occur in technology, where certain laws and policies inhibit advancements and block new ideas.
  • Anatomically, certain diseases may stymie bodily functions, creating challenges in treatment and patient recovery.

Origin of 'stymie'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'stymie' originates from golf, where it described a situation where one ball obstructs the line of another.
  • First recorded in the early 20th century, 'stymie' has since become a common term in both sports and everyday language.
  • The shift from golf to general use reflects how obstacles can occur in various aspects of life, not just sports.

The term 'stymie' originated in the early 20th century, specifically in the context of golf, where it described a situation where one player obstructs another player's path to the hole. The word is believed to have evolved from the Scottish term 'styme', which means to obstruct. The golfing context popularized the term, and it subsequently broadened in use to describe any sort of impediment or obstacle in various fields, including business and everyday situations. By the 1920s, 'stymie' began to appear more widely in English literature, indicating frustration or obstructions faced by individuals or groups. Over time, the usage of 'stymie' expanded beyond golf, becoming a common way to articulate various forms of blockage in social, economic, and personal progress.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,286, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.