What does stonewalling mean?
Stonewalling is the deliberate use of delays, evasions, silence, or other uncooperative tactics to prevent progress or to avoid supplying information. In legal and political contexts, it may describe a witness refusing to answer questions, an administration withholding documents, or an organization delaying an investigation. The word is commonly used to characterize conduct that appears designed to obstruct scrutiny, although proving that obstruction was intentional can itself be difficult. Because a stone wall traditionally blocks passage, the metaphor is both vivid and long established. Stonewalling is useful when discussing the mechanisms by which decisions, inquiries, and negotiations can be slowed without a formal refusal to participate. It is generally a negative and sometimes strongly accusatory term, so speakers should distinguish documented obstruction from a mere disagreement or honest uncertainty.
The act of obstructing progress, discussion, or disclosure by refusing to cooperate, providing evasive answers, or introducing deliberate delays.
"The report criticized the council's systematic stonewalling of the audit."
Commonly used in legal, political, journalistic, and organizational contexts; it generally implies intentional obstruction.
To obstruct or delay an action, inquiry, or disclosure by maintaining an uncooperative position or refusing to provide relevant information.
"Several witnesses accused the agency of stonewalling the inquiry."
Usually transitive and strongly critical in tone.
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon because the noun is normally used in the singular or uncountable sense.
"The report documented repeated stonewallings that delayed the proceedings."
Stonewalling began with literal walls: a stone wall can block movement completely, and the figurative word describes attempts to block progress or cooperation in the same way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stonewalling come from?
The word combines the longstanding compound stonewall, formed from stone and wall, with the suffix -ing. Used literally, stonewall is an older term for a wall made of stone; the verb stonewall developed in the figurative sense of presenting a barrier to movement, communication, or action. The modern political sense, meaning to obstruct or give evasive answers, developed during the twentieth century and became especially prominent in discussions of investigations and official inquiries.
Related word forms
How stonewalling is actually used
Often carries a critical or accusatory connotation, especially in political, legal, and investigative contexts. It can describe either deliberate obstruction or conduct perceived as obstructive, but it does not necessarily imply illegality.