has been stymied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been stymied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where progress or success has been hindered or obstructed. Example: "The project has been stymied by a lack of funding, preventing any further development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Since then, Rodríguez says, she has been stymied.

The New Yorker

The search has been stymied by political hurdles.

The New Yorker

That, however, is where he has been stymied.

The New York Times

And the Gamecocks' offense has been stymied by UK's bad defense.

The New York Times

The Security Council has been stymied by China's insistence on diplomacy over sanctions.

The New York Times

He has been stymied by injuries and weight gains, personal trauma and coaching whims.

The New York Times - Sports

In New York, though, Mr. Bloomberg often has been stymied on matters of transportation.

The New York Times

Southwest has been stymied in its efforts to break into the New York market until recently.

The New York Times

There were multiple delays, and the real estate development has been stymied by a weak economy.

The New York Times

The Indian government's pledge to fund a database has been stymied by  bureaucracy, he said.

The New York Times

But the expansion plan, which is privately financed, has been stymied at every turn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been stymied" when you want to emphasize that something has been actively prevented or blocked from progressing, often due to specific obstacles or resistance. For example, use it to describe how a political initiative "has been stymied" by opposing forces.

Common error

While "has been stymied" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where possible to improve clarity and impact. For instance, instead of "Progress "has been stymied" by bureaucracy", try "Bureaucracy "stymied" progress."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been stymied" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject has been subjected to an action that prevents or hinders progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples that show how it is used to describe projects, initiatives, or efforts that have encountered significant obstacles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been stymied" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates something has been blocked or hindered in its progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is often found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While synonyms like "has been hindered" or "has been blocked" can be used, "has been stymied" carries a specific connotation of active prevention or obstruction. It's important to be mindful of passive voice overuse and to consider rephrasing sentences for improved clarity when appropriate. Overall, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been hindered

Focuses on the action of impeding progress rather than complete obstruction.

has been obstructed

Highlights the blocking of a path or process.

has been impeded

Emphasizes slowing down or delaying progress.

has been blocked

Indicates a complete halt or barrier to progress.

has been thwarted

Suggests a deliberate prevention of success.

has been stalled

Focuses on a temporary halt in progress.

has met with obstacles

Highlights encountering difficulties that hinder advancement.

has faced setbacks

Emphasizes encountering problems that delay progress.

has run into difficulties

Suggests encountering challenges that impede advancement.

has proven difficult to advance

Highlights the challenging nature of making progress.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been stymied"?

When something "has been stymied", it means that its progress or development has been blocked, hindered, or thwarted. It suggests an obstacle or resistance has prevented it from moving forward.

What are some synonyms for "has been stymied"?

Some synonyms for "has been stymied" include "has been hindered", "has been obstructed", "has been blocked", and "has been thwarted". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "has been stymied" in a sentence?

You can use "has been stymied" to describe any situation where progress is being blocked. For example, "The project "has been stymied" by a lack of funding" or "Negotiations "has been stymied" by political disagreements."

Is it better to use active or passive voice when writing "has been stymied"?

While "has been stymied" is in passive voice, consider whether active voice might be clearer or more impactful. For example, instead of "The initiative "has been stymied" by bureaucracy", you could write "Bureaucracy "stymied" the initiative."