hog-tied; hog-tying; hog-ties
Synonyms of hog-tienext

transitive verb

1
: to tie together the feet of
2
: to make helpless : stymie
hog-tie scientific progress

Examples of hog-tie in a Sentence

their principals' inflexible demands virtually hog-tied the diplomats' efforts to negotiate a peace treaty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the seats filled up the events started with steer wrestling, cowboys rope calves and flip them over, then hog-tie them for the best score. Jon-Michael Banks, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025 Fulton allegedly hog-tied him with an extension cord and tow strap, then beat the victim with a golf club. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 Well, for one, the go-to induction method is being roused from your bed in the middle of the night, hog-tied, and tossed in a van. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2025 There’s no sign of breaking and entering at her house, and her body has been horrifically hog-tied. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 12 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for hog-tie

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hog-tie was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hog-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hog-tie. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

hog-tie

verb
ˈhȯg-ˌtī
ˈhäg-
1
: to tie together the feet of
hog-tie a calf
2
: to make helpless
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!