Stymied

To be 'stymied' means to be thwarted, blocked, or frustrated in achieving a goal or progress. It implies encountering an obstacle that significantly hinders or prevents forward movement, often causing a feeling of helplessness or impasse. The obstruction can be physical, mental, or circumstantial, and the state of being stymied can range from temporary setbacks to complete failures. It is a common experience when facing complex problems, difficult tasks, or unexpected challenges, and suggests an inability to easily overcome the obstacle in the current state or method of approach.

Stymied meaning with examples

• The investigation was stymied by a lack of evidence, forcing the detectives to pause their pursuit of justice. They were incredibly frustrated, but had to acknowledge that they could not move forward without it. It was so frustrating, as every lead seemed to end abruptly, causing them to sit back and consider a new angle. It was like the case had hit a wall.
• The project was stymied by a critical component failing to arrive on schedule, setting back the entire timeline by weeks. The team had planned out the next two weeks carefully to make sure this project got accomplished within the timeline. They all felt like they were now behind and not being able to do anything about it was very annoying.
• Her efforts to learn the complex language were stymied by her inability to master the pronunciation of the most challenging words, frustrating her ability to communicate. She tried for hours and felt it was pointless at this point, even if the goal was to eventually become fluent.
• The negotiations were stymied when the opposing party refused to compromise on their core demands, leading to a complete breakdown in the discussion. Each side felt they were not able to budge an inch in order to try to make any progress forward. This seemed to make the situation hopeless.
• The growth of the business was stymied by the economic downturn, resulting in a decrease in sales and a difficulty expanding the customer base, hindering the team's dreams and goals.