TYING UP Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

tying up

verb

variants or tieing up

present participle of tie up

as in hampering

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

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Example Sentences

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 Zelensky and Merz are tying up a significant defense and industrial partnership, which will see the two countries finalize a deal for the production of drones and missiles. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026 For Garfield, playing Altman was tying up a loose end in his career. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 Two weeks later, he was accused of tying up, robbing, and killing a man inside a Chicago home. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 The henchmen are tying up loose ends after eliminating Kerry’s father, who informed on the Gotham crew to avoid serving his prison sentence. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026 For the people who loved the Detroit native and aspiring actress -- her mother, Katie Mattic, and sisters Jean Neal, Frances Douglas, Vivian Mattic and Virgie Binford -- that means tying up the loose ends of Margaret's life. — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026 In addition to tying up first responders, data center fires are costly affairs for taxpayers, as property tax abatements mean nearby residents — not data center owners — can be the ones fronting the bill whenever the fire company gets a call. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026 The ordeal closed much of the eastbound freeway for more than three hours during the evening commute, tying up surface streets across Sacramento’s grid and around Sacramento State. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Early in September, everything from finishing tasks to tying up loose ends takes precedence. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tying up

Verb

The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Kyiv sees this as an attempt to pressure it into concessions by hampering its aerial defense and military operations.

— David Hickey, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampering

Verb

Advertisement But other allies of Jackson say an overcautious campaign is impeding the Bernie Sanders progressive and stalwart labor champion from connecting with voters.

— Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
Schwank also took issue with ICE’s characterization that Moreida was standing in the middle of an active road and impeding law enforcement’s actions.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of impeding

Verb

For more than a week, Ukraine had faced a speed limit on the Starshield satellite terminals used by its military, hindering its ability to intercept fast-moving Russian drones.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Willie Herndon faces a murder charge and Taiya Herndon, who drove her husband to Illinois after the shooting, was arrested on charges of hindering prosecution, according to police.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of hindering

Verb

My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.

— Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
After those results went public, embarrassing Muñiz and a few other judges, the Florida Bar stopped conducting surveys and publishing the results … leaving Florida voters with even fewer resources.

— Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

The federal agency also warned that obstructing immigration officers is a federal crime.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
During the investigation, it was alleged that Stewart, who is a resident, returned to the property and was later taken into custody for obstructing a peace officer.

— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of obstructing

Browse Nearby Words

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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tying up

verb

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