TYING UP Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

tying up

verb

variants or tieing up

present participle of tie up

as in impeding

to create difficulty for the work or activity of an accident is tying up traffic at 5th and Broadway

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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.

Recent Examples of tying up As many spread awareness to avoid tying up a dog outside, Ezra's owner is hoping someone can help. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 19 May 2026 Thirty seconds later, Faber’s shot from the point ticked off Heiskanen’s glove and past Oettinger, tying up the game 1-1. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Massachusetts authorities are searching for an armed suspect accused of robbing a $20 million mansion and tying up a housekeeper in an elaborate heist. — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026 This online collection included images of mutilation and tying up women with ropes, two things prosecutors said are consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack and how she was bound, officials said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026 Mubadala has recently become one of the most aggressive Gulf sovereign wealth funds, embarking on a dealmaking spree, tying up with some of the biggest names in global finance, and taking a more active role leading on investments rather than being a passive capital provider. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Apr. 2026 Council member Johnathan Duncan, who represents the Sixth District, questioned whether entering another stadium project negotiation is tying up too much of the city’s tax revenue. — Dylan Lysen june 30, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026 As the escape-room activity kicks off — the guests have 30 minutes to find Aesha’s crew — the boys find plenty of opportunity to make insinuating jokes about tying up the girls, some (Coop) more wholesome than others (Luke). — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026 Nearly 40% of calls handled by Sacramento’s emergency medical services system were non-emergencies, tying up ambulances and paramedics, delaying urgent medical responses and adding nearly $5 million in costs to the city, according to a city audit. — Reeti Malhotra may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tying up

Verb

These vehicles were blocking and impeding fire operations, and several were non-operational and required tow truck assistance for removal.

— Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Florida’s sanctuary city laws forbid local governments from impeding ICE from doing its job, such as by not sharing information with the federal government.

— Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

Definition of impeding

Verb

He was charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
This raises concerns as companies reduce entry-level hiring, hindering the development of crucial tacit knowledge.

— Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of hindering

Verb

Ukraine has carried out major drone strikes on Russia’s two largest cities, embarrassing the Kremlin with images of black plumes of smoke that circulated widely online, despite regulations restricting their publication.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
But in this case, the ejection was absolutely unnecessary and, frankly, embarrassing for Lentz.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

But it hadn't been spotted in Lake Superior, leading researchers to speculate that water temperatures or other factors were holding back its spread there.

— Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 July 2026
What is holding back Europe’s rearmament push Building the capacity Europe needs to ensure strategic autonomy has proved difficult.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Definition of holding back

Verb

Within Venezuela, activists have accused authorities of obstructing relief efforts.

— Manuel Rueda, NPR, 27 June 2026
The passenger rail service said that eight cars and two locomotives derailed after striking the dump truck that was obstructing the crossing.

— The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of obstructing

Verb

Who else was astute enough to recognize the potential of a Sun Devil when handicapping hypothetical mascot fights?

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026
Because no one knows with clarity how things will proceed from here, handicapping the market becomes an exercise in watching for extreme conditions to develop that price in enough potential economic disruption to generate a cushion against further downside surprises.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026

Definition of handicapping

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tying (together)

tying up

tyke

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“Tying up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tying%20up. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tying up

verb

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