Showing results for ties up. Search instead for ties+up.

ties up

VERB

hamper, hinder

Synonyms

WEAK

bind clog confine curb delay entrammel fetter hog-tie hold leash limit lock up obstruct restrain restrict shackle stop tie one's hands trammel

Antonyms

WEAK

aid assist encourage free help

VERB

hamper

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bind clog lock up

WEAK

confine curb delay entrammel fetter hinder hog-tie hold leash limit obstruct restrain restrict shackle stop trammel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

free

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That ties up resources and workers who could be put to more productive use elsewhere in the economy, which is one reason for Hungary’s slow growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

Prison officer John Sneddon is part of the team at Barlinnie's Link Centre that ties up the loose ends prisoners leave behind on the outside.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

“It ties up a lot of rental housing that would be for families,” she said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 22, 2023

But the need to earmark funds for self-insurance ties up money on the balance sheets of coal companies and could leave them vulnerable to large costs when something goes wrong, industry analysts say.

From Reuters • Aug. 31, 2023

He’s a man that’ll fight like h–l for the man he ties up to and who treats him square.

From The Orphan by Mulford, Clarence E.