# stonewall

/ˈstoʊnˌwɔɫ/ (US) · /stˈəʊnwɔːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stonewall
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to refuse to cooperate

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to delay or stop something by refusing to answer questions or give information.

For teachers: to obstruct a process or investigation by refusing to answer questions or provide information. Ambitransitive — can be used with or without a direct object.

- The minister continued to stonewall when reporters asked about the missing funds.
- The administration was accused of attempting to stonewall the congressional inquiry by withholding key documents and citing executive privilege.

Usage: Often used in political or legal contexts to describe a deliberate lack of transparency.

### 2. the 1969 riots

noun · CEFR B2

a series of protests in 1969 New York City that started the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights.

For teachers: a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in 1969.

- Many people consider Stonewall to be the birth of the modern Pride movement.
- The events at Stonewall served as a catalyst for a new era of militant activism in the fight for gay and lesbian civil rights.

Teaching tip: Usually capitalized as 'Stonewall' when referring to the historical event or the inn itself.

### 3. certain or definite

adjective · CEFR C2 · British English · Informal

used to describe something that is completely certain or definite.

For teachers: denoting something that is certain, definite, or undeniable. Non-gradable; typically used in sports or legal contexts.

- The referee's decision was a stonewall penalty that no one could argue with.
- The striker was brought down in the box for what appeared to be a stonewall penalty, yet the referee waved play on.

Usage: Commonly used as an attributive adjective before nouns like 'penalty' or 'certainty'.

## Examples

- The politician tried to stonewall the reporters.
- The company's lawyers decided to stonewall the investigators to avoid revealing any sensitive data.
- Despite the mounting pressure from the committee, the executive chose to stonewall, citing national security concerns as a justification for his silence.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.