What does stonewalled mean?
Stonewalled means to deliberately obstruct progress, hinder an investigation, or avoid giving a clear answer. The expression is especially familiar from British and Commonwealth public discourse, where a politician or official may be accused of stonewalling a question, inquiry, or request for documents. In its broader figurative use, stonewalling can describe any persistent refusal to cooperate, even when no literal wall is involved. The word carries a critical and often accusatory tone: it suggests that the person or institution has deliberately erected an obstacle rather than simply overlooked the issue or expressed uncertainty. It is commonly used with nouns such as inquiry, investigation, question, and request, and can also function as an adjective, as in a stonewalled response. The related noun stonewall names both the obstruction itself and, historically, a defensive barrier made of stone.
To obstruct or prevent progress, especially by refusing to cooperate or answer questions.
"The committee was stonewalled by repeated delays and unanswered requests for information."
Commonly used figuratively, especially in British and Commonwealth English. It often implies a deliberate refusal to cooperate.
Characterized by deliberate obstruction or evasive refusal to answer.
"The spokesperson delivered a stonewalled response to every question about the funding decision."
Usually encountered in the phrase a stonewalled response and generally informal or journalistic in tone.
Stonewalled is the past tense and past participle of stonewall and is not normally used as a plural noun.
"The officials stonewalled the journalists' questions."
From a literal barrier to a political metaphor: stonewalling can turn a simple question into a fortress of silence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stonewalled come from?
The word combines the ordinary nouns stone and wall, first referring to a barrier built or faced with stone. Its figurative use developed from the idea of presenting a solid, impassable obstruction. The related noun stonewall and the verb stonewall also reflect this older physical sense before extending to modern political and legal contexts. The compound is built from English words rather than borrowed from another language.
Related word forms
How stonewalled is actually used
The figurative sense is especially common in British and Commonwealth English, particularly in political, legal, and journalistic contexts. It often implies deliberate obstruction or evasion rather than a simple inability to answer.
Easily confused with stonewalled
A brick wall is a physical structure, whereas to stonewall a person or investigation means to obstruct or evade it.
A wall is a physical barrier, while stonewall can refer to obstruction or evasion without any literal masonry.