as in engaged
involved in often constant activity
we'll be tied-up with work for the next several days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hampered
to create difficulty for the work or activity of
an accident is tying up traffic at 5th and Broadway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tied-up
Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 1 May 2026
The fundraising push for Forest’s enclosure is ongoing, with the bulk of the cost tied up in fencing.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Because with Walker tied up, Greig delivered a vicious uppercut straight to his chops.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
But Tally originally wrote an ending where Lecter has already captured Chilton, who is shown tied up.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Even in the contemporary digital age, a significant portion of a publisher’s money remains tied up in stock and warehousing.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
The main suspect was arrested, after authorities said the couple was found tied up at their home in Kenya.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
But, because most of their electrons are tied up in the chemical bonding needed to form the nanotube, there’s not a lot of them available to carry current.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
With barely two minutes remaining, Hilary scored a goal and tied up the game, paving the way for her team’s victory in overtime.
—Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Also, some maps are tied up in or expected to face lawsuits.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 1 May 2026
The fundraising push for Forest’s enclosure is ongoing, with the bulk of the cost tied up in fencing.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
Because with Walker tied up, Greig delivered a vicious uppercut straight to his chops.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
But Tally originally wrote an ending where Lecter has already captured Chilton, who is shown tied up.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Even in the contemporary digital age, a significant portion of a publisher’s money remains tied up in stock and warehousing.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
The main suspect was arrested, after authorities said the couple was found tied up at their home in Kenya.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
But, because most of their electrons are tied up in the chemical bonding needed to form the nanotube, there’s not a lot of them available to carry current.
—ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
With barely two minutes remaining, Hilary scored a goal and tied up the game, paving the way for her team’s victory in overtime.
—Time, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tied-up
Adjective
-
By identifying moments when viewers are likely to be more engaged, however, TV companies hope to gain some of their pricing power.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In other words, Reddit is tracking its users and only punishing only the most engaged ones.—
Jon Christian,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The court issued a ruling that limits consideration of race in drawing voting maps — potentially a boon for Republicans, who have been hampered by the civil rights law in their attempt to redraw maps in Louisiana, Alabama and other states.—
Matthew Choi,
Washington Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Connor McDavid looked ordinary at best, clearly hampered by his injury.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
SpaceX was responsible for most of the 71 rockets launched last year from Vandenberg, one of the world’s busiest spaceports.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
In response, Asia has been busy implementing a range of measures, from restricting energy use to introducing fuel subsidies, re-starting coal plants, and imposing export restrictions.—
Wendy Cutler,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Nearly 9 in 10 workers said burnout has hindered their productivity.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Rams boss Les Snead and Chiefs leadership tandem Andy Reid and Brett Veach don’t seem hindered by obstacles either, despite later draft slots and paying future Hall of Fame quarterbacks.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These trees need proper attention to grow to their full potential—pruning is essential, as is being diligent against pests.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Catholic-Protestant divide impeded North American solidarity.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
GasBuddy expects that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked or significantly impeded through Memorial Day, the national average price of gas could surpass the all‑time record of $5 per gallon.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
That this series has flipped on its head seemed almost impossible last Sunday, when the Celtics embarrassed Philadelphia in a Game 4 win on the Sixers’ home floor.—
Tobias Bass,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
The Mets were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in an 14-2 blowout to even up the series at one game apiece.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An Israeli military battalion that assaulted and detained a CNN team in the occupied West Bank has been redeployed after a one-month suspension, an Israeli security source told CNN.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Its power has withered amid years without peace negotiations and Israel tightening its grip on the occupied West Bank.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tied-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tied-up. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
