verb / noun

stonewall

STOHN-wawl/ˈstəʊnwɔːl/

Obstruction through refusal to cooperate.

The official stonewalls the interviewer by refusing to respond.

A tight-lipped official folds arms and refuses to respond as a frustrated interviewer holds out a microphone, withholding cooperation, no speech text.

Etymology

A wall of stone supplies the image of a barrier that blocks progress. The verb applies that image to persistent obstruction, including delayed replies and refusal to cooperate.

In context

MooLer251:44

if I had a covid test if I so already can you like the loops I have had to jump through is just unbelievable right and then they're trying to Stonewall me trying to get on this flight

EFAP #150 - The Third Anniversary of Pausing Every Frame - Covering Everything with Everyone - Pt 2

More examples

She stonewalled when I asked where the money went.
They keep stonewalling instead of addressing residents' concerns.
Our request for answers runs into a stonewall.

Forms

stonewall · stonewalls · stonewalled · stonewalling

Similar words

obstruct: Blocks progress through action, not just refusal to cooperate.
stall: Delays action, often with excuses rather than outright refusal.
evade: Avoids a particular question or duty rather than blocking cooperation.